March 10 12, 2016 issue

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MARCH 10-12, 2016

GOP surprise

Cuccinelli then McCullough poised for Va. high court

By Jeremy M. Lazarus

Ken Cuccinelli

Stephen McCullough

Ending a long-running dispute with the governor, the Republican majority in the General Assembly will cap the legislative session by filling a vacant state Supreme Court seat with their own choice.

However, as has been traditional, the choice will be a seasoned jurist — Stephen R. McCullough of the Virginia Court of Appeals, GOP leaders in the House and Senate announced Wednesday.

Judge McCullough’s name was put forward after Republicans pulled off what may have been an early and elaborate April Fool’s joke with

their threat to elect to the court an ideological lightning rod, former state Attorney General Ken Cuccinelli.

Mr. Cuccinelli, whose staff said he was never consulted before his name was announced Tuesday Please turn to A4

Creativity runs in the family

Father-son artists share gifts with the community

By Joey Matthews

Sandra Sellars/Richmond Free Press

Jerome W. Jones Jr., right, and his son, Jeromyah, stand by a display in the state’s Patrick Henry Building on Capitol Square of portraits they completed as part of their “Ingenious Artistic Minds (I AM)” collection. Their work will be on exhibited through Thursday, March 31.

Petersburg shake-up nets new chief operating officer

By Jeremy M. Lazarus

Please turn to A4

City facing grim budget choices

By Jeremy M. Lazarus

Parking at a Downtown meter could soon be more expensive.

So could the annual city fee to register a vehicle and the cost of trash collection.

Those are some of the fee increases Richmond Mayor Dwight C. Jones is proposing in the $709 million spending plan for fiscal year 2017 that begins July 1.

He presented the plan last Friday to Richmond City Council.

It would be up to the council to approve the fee increases as part of its work on the budget.

According to the mayor, the fee increases are needed to help

Amid crumbling finances, the City of Petersburg has shaken up its government leadership.

After firing City Manager William E. Johnson III last week, the seven-member Petersburg City Council handed executive authority to three of its members, including Mayor W. Howard Myers, Ward 5, the city’s titular leader.

The shuffle is the City Council’s latest effort to deal with millions of dollars in unpaid bills, a multimilliondollar revenue shortfall and a malfunctioning water billing system.

At the same time, the council named Dironna Moore Belton, general manager of Petersburg Area Transit, to Ms. Belton run dayto-day operations until a new city manager is hired, although no timetable has been announced for when that might happen.

The 38-year-old Petersburg native, who essentially is auditioning for the top management post, was installed as interim chief operating officer, bypassing Deputy City Manager Irvin Carter Jr., who supervises six city departments and is a former budget manager for Richmond.

In her acceptance statement, Ms. Belton promised to bring a plan of action to the council within 30 days that would put the majority-black city on track to cope with its financial woes.

Sandra Sellars/Richmond Free Press “I will review the procedures and operations of all city departments and outline in a report measurable objectives to Sayyid Wilson, 4, surveys his surroundings last Friday as he enjoys a day out with his

Grandpa’s top dawg

Please turn to A4

Jerome W. Jones Jr. and his son, Jeromyah, share a deep passion for painting.

Their works, many featuring portraits of noted people, provides uplift, education and motivation to untold thousands who have viewed them at exhibits and online.

The Henrico County artists said their art is inspired by their mutual faith in Yah, the Hebrew name for God. “We enjoy waking up in the morning and brainstorming on how we can watch the hand of our father at work by inspiring us to do our paintings,” said Mr. Jones, 56.

“Every place we go is our gallery,” 26-year-old Jeromyah added. “Life is our studio and the world is our museum.”

The Jones men live by the credo that they are “teaching the art of life through the love of art.”

Fifteen paintings from their “Ingenious Artistic Minds (I AM)” portrait collection are on exhibit in the first floor of the state’s Patrick Henry Building, 1111 E. Broad St. They include “inspirational people who have made a positive difference in society,” Mr. Jones said.

Featured are civil rights icons Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., Oliver W. Hill Sr., Dr. Dorothy I. Height, Dr. Wyatt T. Walker and Shirley Chisholm, as well as musicians B.B. King and Wynton Marsalis, tennis great Serena Williams and Samuel DeWitt Proctor, the theologian for whom Virginia Union

grandfather, Wesley Holmes. The two shared a soda and tasty food at Ray’s Dog House Plus at 401 N. 1st St. in Downtown.

the city cover the cost of services and pay city employees.

During his first seven years in office, Mayor Jones repeatedly has told city residents that he was “positioning the city for growth,” which he considered the best way to generate the revenue to allow increases in spending for public education, to replace or overhaul decaying school buildings and meet other pressing needs.

In a city still recovering from the Great Mayor Jones Recession, where one in four residents and 40 percent of children live in poverty and where one-third of workers earn less than $25,000 a year, Mayor Jones’ mantra has been, “We cannot tax our way out, we cannot cut our way out.” Instead, he said, the city must encourage the creation and expansion of tax-generating businesses.

But now in his eighth and final year, the mayor is acknowledging that the growth strategies he has tried have yet to generate the substantial revenue returns the city needs — even with all the construction and population growth.

In the budget message he delivered to City Council, he focused on strategies to close a potential $9 million gap between spending and revenue, ruling out any increases in spending for public education or wage increases for most city workers.

He called it a continuation of the problem he has faced since Please turn to A4

Planned school cuts causing pain

By Joey Matthews

North Side resident Sherri Davis said she is concerned about planned budget cuts that may close schools, crowd classrooms and have parents scrambling to arrange transportation for their children.

“It becomes a safety issue when you propose to put more kids in classes,” the mother of two Richmond Public Schools students told the Free Press on Wednesday. “It’s already hard enough for teachers to teach the large numbers of students they have in their classrooms.”

Ms. Davis expressed her trepidation after the Richmond Public Schools’ leadership team proposed cost-cutting measures at Monday night’s School Board meeting at City Hall.

Ralph Westbay, assistant superintendent for financial services, told the board of plans to close six schools, increase the average pupil-teacher ratio from 22-to-1 to 23-to-1, implement a bus hub transportation system, contract out janitorial services, close two district office buildings and demolish two unused schools.

He said the intent is to reduce school spending by about $12.6 million in order to help close the $18 million gap in RPS’ Please turn to A4

A2 March 10-12, 2016

Richmond Free Press

Local News

Sheriff Woody answers federal ADA lawsuit

Opportunity time Loxley Road on North Side is a prime example of the deteriorating fabric of hundreds of miles of city streets.

Despite a wave of recent pothole repairs, up to half of the city’s aging roadways are rated to be in fair to poor condition.

In 2012, City Auditor Umesh Dalal reported that the city would need to spend $277 million to bring all of the streets up to good condition. Since then, the city has poured at least $25 million into street

By Jeremy M. Lazarus

Richmond Sheriff C.T. Woody Jr. plans to vigorously defend his office against a federal lawsuit accusing him of violating the Americans with Disabilities Act by failing to find a civilian position for a deputy suffering from a disabling heart condition.

Tony Pham, the in-house lawyer for the Sheriff’s Office, stated that the sheriff followed the law and “vehemently denies that the former employee was discriminated against under the ADA” as the U.S. Justice Department alleged in its suit filed March 3 in federal district court in Richmond.

The case involves former Deputy Emily Hall, whom the sheriff dismissed after 10 years because she could no longer perform her duties.

The U.S. Justice Department claims in the suit that the ADA requires employers to make reasonable accommodations for disabled workers and Ms. Hall should have Sheriff Woody been reassigned to a vacant civilian position.

As a deputy, Ms. Hall took inmates to and from court and provided security for judges, requiring her to have direct contact with prisoners and to be prepared to “restrain inmates,” according to the suit.

She sought reassignment to “light duty” that did not have the potential of “direct contact” with inmates after undergoing surgery in 2012 to recieve a cardiac defibrillator and a pacemaker, the suit states.

Ms. Hall was denied that accommodation, the suit states, and was “never offered a transfer or reassignment to a vacant position for which she was a qualified as a reasonable accommodation, nor was Ms. Hall given priority for placement in any vacant position.”

However, according to Mr. Pham’s statement, issued a day after the suit was filed, Sheriff Woody was only required to allow Ms. Hall to compete for a vacant position. He did so when a payroll technician slot came open, but the job “was completely different from (the deputy position) she was originally employed in.”

“Unfortunately, Ms. Hall was not the most qualified” among the four people who sought the position and did not get the job, Mr. Pham stated, leading to her dismissal in May 2013.

The Justice Department claims in the suit that Ms. Hall possessed the educational and work experience to do the payroll job and should have had priority because of her disabling condition.

The position required “specialized training,” Mr. Pham stated, which Ms. Hall apparently had less of than the winning candidate.

“The Sheriff’s Office is tremendously sympathetic to Ms. Hall,” but rejects the claim that it was duty-bound under the ADA to reassign her to another position for which others were better suited, Mr. Pham stated.

No date has yet been set for trial.

Congressional races shaping up Largely overshadowed by presidential politics, the races for Virginia’s 11 congressional seats are beginning to take shape.

In the 4th Congressional District that now includes Richmond, candidates are starting to make plans to run in the June 14 primary contests that have been called by the district’s Democratic and Republican committees.

The seat will be open because incumbent Congressman J. Randy Forbes, a Republican, has said he will give up the seat and run for the vacancy in the 2nd Congressional District, where the current congressman, Rep. Scott Rigell, is retiring.

On the Democratic side, state Sen. A. Donald McEachin of Henrico plans to announce his candidacy for the 4th District seat after the Virginia General Assembly session ends this weekend.

Others considered to be eyeing a run for Sen. McEachin the 4th District congressional seat include two people from Chesapeake, Delegate Lionell Spruill Sr. and Chesapeake City Council member Ella Ward. Neither has made a formal announcement.

The district runs from Richmond and Eastern Henrico through Petersburg, Charles City County and into parts of South Hampton Roads. Others from the district also could file by the March 31 deadline to participate in a major party primary contest.

Sen. McEachin is regarded as a leading Democratic candidate.

Already, several people are said to be interested in seeking his Senate seat should he be elected to Congress, among them two members of the House of Delegates, Jennifer L. McClellan of Richmond and Lamont Bagby of Henrico.

On the Republican side, Henrico Sheriff Michael Wade is lining up to run.

Initially, he planned to challenge first-term GOP Congressman Dave Brat in the 7th District, but changed his mind after Congressman Brat and his supporters chose a convention to select the party’s candidate for the fall election, virtually ensuring the incumbent could not be challenged.

So far, Sheriff Wade is the only announced Republican for the GOP primary contest. If he becomes the Republican nominee as expected, he would face an uphill battle to win the district.

The 4th is considered likely to lean Democratic now that Richmond, Eastern Henrico County and Charles City County have been moved into the district.

Meanwhile, Congressman Robert C. “Bobby” Scott, who previously represented Richmond in the U.S. House of Representatives, is planning to seek re-election in the revamped 3rd District. So far, no challengers have emerged. — JEREMY M. LAZARUS

Cityscape Slices of life and scenes in Richmond

maintenance in a bid to achieve Mayor Dwight C. Jones’s goal of repaving 25 percent of neighborhood streets within five years.

Hopes that the city would keep investing between $6 million and $10 million a year into such projects are fading as the city’s borrowing capacity shrinks.

During the next five years, the city plans to invest about $13.4 million into street maintenance, an average of $2.68 million a year. In his report, Mr. Dalal forecast that it would take a minimum of “several decades” for the city to address its street needs.

Sandra Sellars/Richmond Free Press

Rudd’s Trailer Park sold; new owner takes over in April

By Joey Matthews

of residents, many of whom received little more than a referral to the city’s Department of Social Ronnie Soffee exchanged hugs and accepted Services, Mr. Soffee said. well wishes from residents at Rudd’s Trailer Park The 100 or more operational mobile homes early Saturday afternoon. before the code enforcement campaign began now He even shed a few tears as several people are down to about 70, Mr. Soffee said. stopped by the office of the mobile home park at “I’m really going to miss you, Ronnie,” said 2911 Jefferson Davis Highway.

Dorothy Witcher, an elderly woman who has lived It was a bittersweet moment for the 67-yearin a mobile home at Rudd’s with her two sons for old Richmond native. A few hours earlier, he had four years. “You have been good to our family.” distributed fliers notifying residents that he had “I love you, man,” Mr. Soffee told Danny NewMr. Soffee sold the 9.2-acre park that his man, a middle-aged man who family has owned and operated recently moved to Chesterfield since 1936.

County after living at Rudd’s The property was sold at about 10 years. auction March 2 for $371,000 “I love you too, buddy,” Mr. to an unidentified buyer from Newman said, as the two exMassachusetts who is to take changed hugs. over in April, Mr. Soffee told The flier Mr. Soffee distributed the Free Press. encouraged residents to pay any back The city had assessed the rent they owe. He said the mobile property at $2.46 million. home park is to remain open.

“Fifteen cents on the dol“He’s pretty savvy,” Mr. Soffee lar,” Mr. Soffee said, shaking said of the new owner. “He owns his head. numerous trailer parks and plans to The sale came a little more put money into it, fix some things than two years after the city and get rid of the abandoned trailers. began a widespread code He also hopes that the city will allow enforcement campaign in him to put new trailers in here.

February 2014 at Rudd’s, cit“But he won’t be as lenient as ing concerns over safety at the me,” he added. “He told me, ‘If mobile home park. you pay your rent and mind your Code enforcement officers business, this will always be a trailer initially issued more than 700 park home for the residents.’ ’’ violations and evicted the Among those who have moved residents of 10 mobile homes, is former Thomas Jefferson High Mr. Soffee said, adding that 20 School honor student Olivia Leonmobile homes were condemned Vitervo and her family. She had “right off the bat.” served as a liaison between many Many of the park’s residents of the Latino residents and the moved out after their mobile city. She was featured in a Free homes were condemned, he Press article published in the July said. Others left because they 31-Aug. 2, 2014, edition. couldn’t afford to make the costly repairs necessary to get Separately, the Richmond-based Legal Aid Justice Center, their mobile homes in compliance with the state code for working with Washington-based Crowell & Moring law firm, manufactured homes. filed a federal lawsuit in September 2015 against the city, A coalition of nonprofit organizations and faith groups alleging illegal and racially discriminatory code enforcement volunteered to help Rudd’s multiethnic and largely poor policies that target Latino people. population, fearing they would be forced into worse living Phil Storey, an attorney with the Legal Aid Justice Center, conditions or homelessness. told the Free Press last week “a trial is scheduled for June, In the end, however, it did little to prevent the mass exodus if we don’t reach a settlement before then.”

VSU working on improvements after state auditor’s findings Improved, but could be better.

That’s the verdict of the state auditor of public accounts after completing Virginia State University’s financial audit for fiscal year 2015 that ended June 30.

Auditor Martha S. Mavredes found VSU to be financially sound and reported that the university had “improved how it budgets (for) room and board so that its estimates more accurately reflect actual trends.” That was not the case in 2014, when the university was blindsided by a steep drop in student numbers.

However, Ms. Mavredes recommended more in-depth financial planning on such auxiliary enterprises “since some have financial deficits or are projected to have deficits (such as the new Multipurpose Center) and will rely on positive cash positions of other auxiliary enterprises to operate in the near term.”

Among other issues, she also found VSU had not done enough to protect sensitive computer data.

“The university is increasing the risk for system vulnerabilities and threats to go undetected by not Ms. Mavredes including all sensitive Information Technology systems in its IT Security Audit Plan and Risk Management documentation.”

She did note the university plans to correct all deficiencies by October 2016.

Ms. Mavredes also found problems in the university’s documentation of its inventory, particularly surplus items that are to be sold or otherwise disposed of.

In response, Keith Davenport, VSU’s chief financial officer and vice president for administration, promised action to address most of the issues Ms. Mavredes raised.

For example, he stated that he plans in March to provide the VSU Board of Visitors with financial projections for the auxiliary enterprises based on various scenarios, as well as an action proposal.

Mr. Davenport also noted that the university continues to address “weaknesses from information security audits,” including hiring a chief information security officer. He stated VSU also plans to hired dedicated IT security personnel and satisfy all the requirements of the state’s IT security standards.

As for inventory, VSU recently hired a firm to help with improvement efforts.

— JEREMY M. LAZARUS

Richmond Free Press

March 10-12, 2016

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Richmond Free Press

A4 March 10-12, 2016

News

In GOP surprise, Cuccinelli then McCullough poised for Va. high court Continued from A1

in the Senate, quickly pulled the plug on a nomination that had created heartburn among Democrats and generated quick protests from groups like Planned Parenthood and Progress Va. In a statement Wednesday, Mr. Cuccinelli informed the Senate GOP Caucus that he and his wife, Tiero, “gave serious and prayerful consideration to accepting this honor,” but “it simply is not the right time for our family.”

He was the ideal person for Republicans to use to show they were prepared to punish Democratic Gov. Terry McAuliffe for trying to appoint a justice without first securing their approval.

After all, Mr. Cuccinelli narrowly lost to Gov. McAuliffe in the November 2013 race for state chief executive. And as attorney general, Mr. Cuccinelli became a liberal’s nightmare. He fought to shut down abortion clinics, kill the Affordable Care Act, or Obamacare, attack government clean air rules and intimidate scientists studying climate change, among other things.

Mr. Cuccinelli, who could run again for governor in 2017, seems to have little taste for a judicial seat that would have forced him from the national and state political scene.

He currently leads a national Tea Party-affiliated political action committee, the Alexandria-based Senate Conservatives Fund, where he has been involved in promoting the presidential candidacy of GOP Sen. Ted Cruz of Texas and is helping right wing candidates win U.S. Senate seats.

The decision to name Judge McCullough to the state’s highest court ends the governor’s six-month effort to fill the vacancy with a veteran and highly respected Northern Virginia judge, Jane Marum Roush, a move that House Republicans blocked solely because the governor chose her when the legislature was not in session.

Gov. McAuliffe named her to the high court in late July, but she was forced to leave the court in mid-February when the legislature refused to elect her to a 12-year term. Justice Roush is the first justice since 1900 to be forced to leave the court after receiving a judicial appointment.

In a final effort on March 2 to seat her, the state Senate, on a largely party line vote, nominated her to a full term on the court, but the House voted her down 55-38.

House Speaker William J. Howell and Senate Majority Leader Thomas K. Norment began looking for another candidate when

Planned school cuts causing pain Continued from A1

proposed budget for fiscal year 2017, which begins July 1.

“I don’t know how many of the parents could find the transportation to get their children to the transportation hub, and it could become a truancy issue,” Ms. Davis said in reacting to the proposals.

“And I don’t know who would watch the children once they got to the hub to ensure their safety as they waited for the buses.”

She also said she’s “pretty concerned they waited this late in the year to let parents know they could be closing schools.

How would they decide what schools would close and what input would they get from the community?” she asked.

Mr. Westbay told the board his finance team would seek to find about $5.8 million more to trim from the proposed school budget to enable the district to continue to fund its academic improvement plan and provide pay raises for most teachers and other staff.

Superintendent Dana T. Bedden’s leadership team proffered the reduction steps after it became apparent that neither Mayor Dwight C. Jones nor Richmond City Council is prepared to include an additional $18 million in spending for public schools.

Mayor Jones rebuffed the school district’s request for the additional $18 million last Friday when he proposed level funding for RPS for the new fiscal year that begins in July in his $709 million proposed FY2017 budget.

The mayor emphasized that the district already had received an $11.2 million increase in the current budget year and that maintaining that amount this year would require spending cuts in city departments.

Mayor Jones also indicated last week in a presentation to the city’s Planning Commission that he included $5 million in his proposed capital budget for school buildings.

RPS had asked for $10.5 million to begin a five-year plan to build a new elementary and middle school and renovate other schools to address a burgeoning student population on South Side, and an additional $39.1 million for building maintenance.

The School Board and City Council will discuss the budget challenges and other issues during a joint meeting 9 a.m. Monday, March 14, at the Richmond Police Training Academy, 1202 W. Graham Road.

In response to RPS’ cost-cutting plan introduced Monday, School Board member Kimberly B. “Kim” Gray, 2nd District, told the Free Press, “The closure of six schools is a drastic stopgap measure to free up funds that are needed to keep our schools operating. It does not negate our need to renovate existing buildings and to build new schools.”

Board member Shonda Harris-Muhammed, 6th District, added, “I am deeply concerned, more so than I have ever been since serving as a School Board member, that our urban school district will demonstrate a loss in achievement, teacher retention and staff morale due to our continued budget despondency.”

Contacted Tuesday, Charlotte Hayer, president of the Richmond Education Association, said there’s one goal that RPS officials and city leaders should seek to meet as they continue to jockey over scarce financial resources in their current budget discussions.

“It’s time we stopped having all the ‘haves’ and the ‘have-nots,’” she said of the need to provide equitable educational opportunities to all RPS students. “We need to make everyone the ‘haves.’”

Even though the 66 House Republicans backed him, Judge Alston fell one vote short in the upper chamber after new Richmond Sen. Glen H. Sturtevant Jr., a Republican, joined with the Senate’s 19 Democrats to deny Judge Alston the seat.

During his campaign last year and after he started his first term in January, Sen. Sturtevant insisted it would be wrong to remove Justice Roush from the bench, saying that the state’s high court Photos by Sandra Sellars/Richmond Free Press should not be politicized.

Left, Members of the impromptu “Keep Ken “We have a highly qualified Out” movement line the hallway and steps leading to the Virginia Senate gallery. Wearing jurist on the bench. Politics stickers, like the one above, they came to shouldn’t play a role in that,” the State Capitol to protest a Republican he previously said in supporting plan to seat Ken Cuccinelli on the Virginia Justice Roush.

Supreme Court. The protest and plan ended But on Tuesday, he dropped when he declined the position. that principle to join other GOP they could not muster the votes for their first choice, Judge members of the Senate Courts of Justice Committee to approve Mr. Rossie D. Alston Jr., the lone African-American on the Court Cuccinelli. He told reporters he could support Mr. Cuccinelli because of Appeals and a colleague of Judge McCullough. the former attorney general was not being used as a political pawn While praising Judge Alston as an “experienced, principled as Judge Alston had been. jurist whose unique background and experience would have made Judge McCullough has served on the appellate court since him a great addition” to the state Supreme Court, Speaker Howell 2011. He previously spent more than a decade with the Office withdrew the Alston nomination Tuesday in acknowledging that of the Attorney General as an assistant attorney general, senior the votes were not there in the Senate to approve him. appellate attorney and solicitor general.

City facing grim budget choices Continued from A1

taking office — the need “to write budgets with limited local revenue, declining state dollars and rising needs. Our dollars are limited, and any new ones must come from somewhere.”

Instead of tax increases, he urged council to cut city spending and impose modest increases in a few fees. That, he said, would generate the revenue needed to support the proposed budget — an $80 million increase from the first budget he presented after taking office in 2009, at a time when the recession caused shrinking revenue.

The proposed 2017 budget represents a $20 million increase from the current year’s $689 million general fund spending plan, or 2.9 percent.

According to the budget plan, the city expects to generate about $11 million in new tax revenue in 2017. To get to $20 million, the mayor called for increasing the fee for refuse collection and recycling from $17.50 a month to $20 a month. The cost of metered parking would rise from 75 cents an hour to $1.25 an hour. The fee on jail inmates would increase from $1 a day to $2 a day. And the annual vehicle registration fee for cars would rise

from $23 a year to $40.75 a year, with a similar hike imposed on pickups and larger trucks.

He also called on the council to approve a 12 percent cut in discretionary spending for most departments, essentially a reduction in the money that is not earmarked to pay wages or cover the cost of contracted goods and services. Public schools and GRTC would be exempt, along with a few other critical departments.

In addition, he wants the council to approve a 25 percent cut in the city’s spending with charities.

“All of these changes,” he said, are needed to support the decision that the council made last year to redirect $9 million in the current budget and $9 million in the proposed 2017 budget from city operations to the public schools.

But that does not add any new money, he said, to meet the school system’s request for an additional $18 million in city funding for its operations.

To provide that additional money could mean “26 days of furloughs for city workers or laying off 400 city employees. I chose not to take those actions because they are bad ideas,” he said. Richmond School Board members were disappointed.

Mayor Jones said he would ask coun-

cil to put an advisory referendum on the November ballot after the governing body completes its budget work.

The referendum would allow voters to decide whether to raise city property taxes by 1 to 3 cents to provide more funding for city schools. Each penny increase would raise $1.75 million. The city’s property tax has stood at $1.20 per $100 of assessed value since 2009.

The mayor also is aware of the need to provide money to upgrade school facilities.

To gain some of the money, he said he will ask the council to divert 20 percent of new revenues from rising property values to put toward schools construction.

In his message, he also outlined his strategy for eliminating a looming $12 million deficit in the current budget, including a hiring freeze on “all non-critical positions through June 30,” and a limit on discretionary spending.

He also would seek approval from the council to use $3 million in savings to cover the costs from the recent “extreme weather.”

The mayor believes with this final budget proposal before he leaves office in December, “we’ve set a clear course for an even brighter future. The choices we make will shape the future of the city.”

Petersburg shake-up nets new COO Continued from A1

council that will aim to cut costs, create revenue and increase how far actual tax dollars will go,” she stated.

She also promised to improve the “dialogue between the council and staff, as well as how the organization communicates with its residents,” and create a more accountable city government.

“We will work hard until we have the full trust of all citizens back,” she said.

Ms. Belton will report to the new executive triumvirate, the mayor and his two colleagues, Vice Mayor Samuel Parham, Ward 3, and John A. Hart Sr., Ward 7.

Mayor Myers issued a statement on Facebook that “we have a long road before us” to achieve a turnaround.

He wrote that solving the city’s problems would require sacrifice.

“We will sacrifice for our city together, but we all must do our part … to overcome our obstacles. It’s not going to be easy, and there are those who will not allow it to be easy, but we are a resilient city.”

Separately, the council accepted the resignation of City Attorney Brian K. Telfair, the only in-house counsel for a Virginia locality to be included among Virginia Business Magazine’s 2015 “Legal Elite.”

Mr. Telfair said he would stay on until

Mayor Myers

Mr. Parham

his successor is appointed.

His resignation came as he began to take on energy and industrial giant Johnson Controls Inc., which he blames for creating some of the city’s financial chaos.

In the past two years, JCI installed new automated water meters to replace the city’s outdated meters. However the system that was accepted by the city apparently has never worked properly, leaving many residents with inflated bills or no bills.

Mr. Telfair is demanding the company resolve the multiple problems he has found with the meter installation.

The problems in billing left citizens outraged and compounded Petersburg’s money woes that have cropped up despite the spurt of public and private developments that has helped improve the city’s image.

Recently, City Council was shocked to learn that the city had $7 million in outstanding IOUs for such items as city

employee pensions and payments due to regional wastewater and jail operations.

At the same time, some residents stopped paying personal property taxes on cars and other vehicles, reducing Mr. Hart city revenue this year by $3.5 million below its budget. At the same time, spending soared $1.8 million over budget.

Before he was dismissed March 3, Mr. Johnson ordered a 4 percent across-theboard spending cut to try to bring revenues and expenditures into balance.

Mr. Johnson was removed for cause, according to the council’s vote, which would make him ineligible for a severance package for his nearly five years as city manager.

Mayor Myers was the only member to abstain on voting for Mr. Johnson’s dismissal. He also abstained on accepting Mr. Telfair’s resignation.

Because the council earlier had requested Mr. Telfair’s resignation, the city would be required to pay him at least $33,000 in severance when he departs. He indicated that negotiations on his relationship with the city after he leaves are ongoing.

Father-son artists share gifts with the community Continued from A1

University’s theological seminary is named.

Mr. Jones painted 14 of the pieces in the exhibit, and his son did one — of the late U.S. Supreme Court Justice Thurgood Marshall.

Many are autographed by the people they depict.

“It’s an honor to have our art on display there,” said Jerome Jones.

The works will be exhibited through Thursday, March 31. Visitors can use the Capitol Square entrance to see the free exhibit.

Gov. McAuliffe acknowledged the work and contributions of the fatherson artists during a Black History Month reception in late February at

the Executive Mansion.

Mr. Jones said they were asked to show their works after Secretary of the Commonwealth Levar Stoney and Kaci Easley, executive director of the Executive Mansion, inquired about their paintings.

The talented duo recently was lauded nationally in a CNN profile and a Huffington Post article. In July 2014, they were among those named to Ebony magazine’s “The Coolest Black Family in America” list.

Jeromyah said their artistic mission includes “taking our art to the people.”

“A lot of people may not go to a museum or gallery,” he explained, so they seek to have their paintings exhibited in accessible community

venues such as libraries, community centers, churches, universities and small businesses.

To achieve that goal, their works also currently are on view in places including the Thomas H. Henderson Center at Virginia Union University, Second Baptist Church in the West End, the Randolph Community Center in the West End, the Hotchkiss Community Center in North Side, and Waller and Company Jewelers and the Supreme Hair Styling Lounge, both in Downtown.

Mr. Jones wanted to be an artist ever since he can remember.

“I can recall loving to draw even before elementary school,” he said.

“My mother encouraged me and recognized that it was a gift I had from

my heavenly father.”

To hone his skills, he earned a bachelor’s degree in painting and print making from Virginia Commonwealth University in 1980. He became a fulltime, freelance artist in 1987.

Jeromyah said his father did not have to prod him to become an artist.

“He took me to art shows, museums and exhibits, but he never had to push the field of art on me,” he said.

“I was born with a creative spirit, so it just came natural to me,” he added.

Jeromyah earned a bachelor’s degree in comprehensive art from Hampton University in 2011 and has pursued a career in the arts ever since.

Mr. Jones’ wife of 32 years, Kemery, gets the credit for helping turn their artistic dreams into success. “She

holds the fort down for us,” Jeromyah said of his mother. “She is an amazing person.”

While much of their artwork is done at home, they draw inspiration and spiritual connection from the outdoors.

“I go to Maymont Park a lot and paint in the gazebo and other places,” Jeromyah said. “I love being in the presence of nature. That’s when the creativity flows.

“There’s so much beauty in the world that the heavenly father is creating,” he said. “We’re just apprentices in his studio.”

Mr. Jones added, “This is something we love doing together and we’re blessed by our heavenly father with the ability to do it.”

Richmond Free Press

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March 10-12, 2016

Your Health A Small Patient, A Big Miracle Children’s Hospital of Richmond at VCU delivers a life-saving gift

A5

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Meet Nathan Howard. Today, he’s an 11-yearIt was August 2014, when Nathan was 10 and old little boy with a big smile — and fast-grow- had been receiving dialysis three times a week ing feet, his mom jokes. since March. His kidneys had shut down and were removed that May. He was waiting for a life-saving kidney transplant — and a call came that a donated organ was available.

“It was 7 a.m., and I was exhausted,” Charnette recalls of the day more than a year and a half ago. She describes that year as a bad rollercoaster ride. Months earlier, she had broken down in the doctor’s office when she was told her son needed a transplant. “I thought, ‘Who is calling me this early?’ and ‘It had better be for a good reason.’ ” And, of course, it was the best reason.

Cases like Nathan’s are not common, Dr. Bunchman notes — affecting only dozens of patients in the state’s population of approximately 3 million children. “So, it’s pretty rare, but unfortunately, if you are the family it’s not rare,” Bunchman says. “It’s a disaster.”

Nathan Howard, Kidney Transplant Patient, Children’s Hospital of Richmond at VCU But before he was even born, Nathan was fighting for his life. His mother Charnette was three-months pregnant with him when she and her husband, Anthony, discovered from an ultrasound that Nathan had serious medical complications. His bladder was enlarged and needed to be drained regularly in utero. At nine months in the womb, Nathan stopped moving — he was delivered by an emergency caesarean section.

“During Nathan’s first year everything was a matter of life and death,” Charnette recalls of Nathan’s complications, which included septic shock, urinary tract infections and a weakened immune system.

Nathan was eventually diagnosed with prune belly syndrome, a group of birth defects that can cause abnormal development of the abdominal muscles, and urinary tract problems that lead to kidney issues and often kidney failure. Prune belly syndrome is a rare genetic condition, occurring at a rate of about one in 40,000 births and mostly affects boys. Nathan had difficulty eating, was not expected to walk because of his weak abdominal muscles and had his first of multiple surgeries when he was 3-months-old.

Before Nathan turned one, his older brother Myles was diagnosed with autism, forcing Charnette and Anthony to re-evaluate their future. Charnette quit her job to care for the boys and daughter Ehlissa, and the family eventually decided to move from their St. Louis home.

“When you have a chronically ill child it changes your complete lifestyle,” says Charnette, so she began researching hospitals with strong pediatric nephrology (kidney), trauma and transplant programs.

The Howards learned about Children’s Hospital of Richmond at VCU (CHoR) and moved east in 2008. Nathan began seeing CHoR’s urology and nephrology specialists. When Dr. Timothy Bunchman, professor and chief of nephrology at CHoR, met the Howards after arriving in Richmond in 2011, Nathan had severe kidney disease. Dr. Bunchman began preparing Nathan’s body—and his family—for an inevitable kidney transplant.

and nurses, has grown in recent years thanks in part to more than $1.1 million in funding from the Children’s Hospital Foundation. The funds have helped CHoR recruit and retain specialists and launch in July 2014 a pediatric nephrology fellowship program, which is approved by the Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education.

“They take good care of our family,” says Nathan, who refers to the nephrology team as “Team VCU” and says his favorite part of staying at the hospital was having his own room.

Timothy Bunchman, MD, Children’s Hospital of Richmond at VCU A Team Effort Since Dr. Bunchman’s arrival, CHoR has been ranked three times among the top children’s hospitals for nephrology by U.S. News & World Report. CHoR’s nephrology team, the sole provider of pediatric nephrology services in Central Virginia, offers general and transplant care to patients in Downtown Richmond and through clinics in Fredericksburg, Petersburg and Stony Point. The team sees more than 2,500 outpatient visits and 1,500 inpatient cases a year and consults with other CHoR subspecialists including urology, cardiology, and hematology and oncology as needed. These partnerships are also important for the transplant program as many transplant patients have issues impacting multiple organs.

“The U.S. News ranking is a reflection of how our team works together to take care of patients,” says Dr. Bunchman, who led the teams that completed a unique heart and kidney transplant and the first chain transplant (where multiple patients receive transplanted organs) at CHoR in 2013.

The nephrology team, which includes three full-time physicians, a fellow, nurse practitioner, nurse educator, dietitian, social worker

Charnette & Nathan Howard Charnette described Dr. Bunchman as “passionate” and an “advocate for children” but says one of his greatest strengths is that “he realizes he can’t do everything by himself and has to have a team.” She also appreciates his willingness to consult with other specialists, especially with a complex case like Nathan’s.

The Pediatric Playbook When Charnette and Anthony Howard sought care for their son Nathan’s congenital disease, they leaned heavily on the physicians and staff at Children’s Hospital of Richmond at VCU. Here, Charnette shares what she learned about managing a young child’s illness.

1. Have a positive attitude and faith.

“You need to keep your hope alive — that things will get better,” she says. “Because, without the hope that things will get better, you will lose your reason to fight. And you have to advocate for your children. No matter what you see, how tired you get, how frustrated you get, how down-and-out you feel. That’s the number one thing.”

2. Educate yourself.

“Doctors and nurses, especially at Children’s Hospital of Richmond at VCU — and Dr. Bunchman’s group — they educate you. Not everyone does that. But you need to educate yourself. When they give you a diagnosis, have them write it down. When the doctors are talking to me, I say, ‘Spell that, please.’ I come in with a little notebook that I keep in my purse.

I ask them for different websites that I can visit to learn more. And a lot of these hospitals have medical libraries that are open to parents.

I go and I research and I learn. When I don’t know, I’ll ask the nurses, ask the doctor. It’s also good to ask for ranges of measurements on the medical tests and what they mean. I ask them to print everything out for me. If you don’t understand the severity and complexity of your situation, you are going be in the dark. And that is going to eat away at your courage.”

3. Accept each day as it’s given to you.

“There is no point in wishing for different circumstances. Don’t wallow where you are.

Accept the child for what he or she is and what he or she has to deal with. You are their guide, their mentor, their protector and you are their provider. To that little person, you are the sun and moon. That’s all that they know. So you need to be able to love on them and comfort them. At the end of the day, you need to accept your baby.”

Your Journey to Wellness Starts Here The Doctor’s Notes

Know Your Risk

Kidney disease can run in families, but it can also arise as a complication of other health conditions. Dr. Timothy E. Bunchman explains how kidney disease can arise differently in adults and children.

Statistically, African-Americans face a greater risk of developing hypertension, diabetes, obesity and kidney disease compared to the general population.

• Diabetes is the No. 1 cause of kidney failure among African Americans. High blood pressure is the No. 2 cause.

• 13.2% of all African-Americans 20 years or older have been diagnosed with diabetes.

• African-Americans are 1.7 times more likely to have diabetes as non-Hispanic whites.

• Diabetes is associated with an increased risk for a number of serious, sometimes lifethreatening complications, and certain populations experience an even greater threat.

• Good diabetes management can help reduce your risk; however, many people are not even aware that they have diabetes until they develop one of its complications.

• African-Americans have a higher rate of kidney failure than any other group of people and are significantly more likely to suffer from blindness, kidney disease and amputations.

“Kidney disease in children, as opposed to adults, is much more silent,” says Bunchman.

“And then on top of that, a lot of adults will get routine exams and will get blood work, which will look at everything — liver functions and cholesterol, anemia and kidney disease.

Kids very rarely get blood work, so there’s no screening test at first. So, you might imagine that if the disease itself is silent and there’s no routine blood work done, it’s not unusual that these kids show up kind of with no warning with end-stage renal disease (ESRD).” Bunchman recommends that parents of children under 3 years old ask their primary care providers to check their blood pressure during routine doctor visits. A child with high blood pressure could be at risk for kidney disease.

Sources: American Diabetes Association; National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Disease

Richmond Free Press

Crocus bloom in Capitol Square

Editorial Page

A6

March 10-12, 2016

Virginia Supreme Court drama

The partisan turmoil that has paralyzed Washington for the last few years apparently is contagious.

And like a plague, it spread to Virginia, where the General Assembly was stricken with an illness threatening the progress of the Commonwealth.

The latest symptom: GOP state lawmakers, in an attempt to stick it to Democratic Gov. Terry McAuliffe and all progressive-minded people of Virginia, nominated the polarizing Ken Cuccinelli to the state Supreme Court.

The 47-year-old former Virginia attorney general and exstate senator from Northern Virginia championed an anti-tax, anti-abortion, anti-gay rights, anti-environment message with a passion that made him the darling of the ultraconservative Tea Party contingent. He was even more right of the GOP mainstream than his Republican colleagues.

Shortly after Mr. Cuccinelli took office as the state’s top lawyer in January 2010, he told Virginia’s public colleges and universities that they lacked the authority to include sexual orientation in their non-discrimination policies. The resulting outcry was so overwhelming that then-Gov. Bob McDonnell, a fellow Republican, had to quell the controversy by issuing an executive directive reminding state entities that discrimination based on sexual orientation is prohibited.

Aiming to put Mr. Cuccinelli on the high court was a dangerous political ploy by a bunch of Republicans who falsely claim they are statesmen with Virginia’s best interest at heart.

Nothing could be further from the truth.

Mr. Cuccinelli is the official who sued to block health insurance for the uninsured under Obamacare. He’s the attorney general who used his office to try to further his skewed/ tilted political ideology by launching a fraud investigation targeting the research of a climate change scientist who formerly taught at the University of Virginia. He also essentially OKed the harassment of immigrants — or people thought to be immigrants — with his opinion authorizing Virginia law enforcement officials to investigate the immigration status of anyone they stopped, regardless of the reason.

And he accepted $18,000 in gifts and stock from a businessman peddling dietary supplements without reporting it on state disclosure forms. A federal grand jury later convicted former Gov. McDonnell and his wife, Maureen, on multiple corruption counts for accepting bigger gifts from that same businessman, Jonnie Williams, CEO of Star Scientific.

Richmond’s commonwealth’s attorney cleared Mr. Cuccinelli of wrongdoing for failing to report the gifts. Mr. Cuccinelli later gave a like amount to charity.

Is it any wonder that less than 24 hours after Mr. Cuccinelli’s nomination to the Virginia Supreme Court, protesters turned out at the state Capitol to try to block his nomination?

Petitions also were circulated and Twitter blew up under the hashtag #KeepKenOUT. Henrico Sen. A. Donald McEachin credited the crush of calls and emails to legislators for tanking plans to put Mr. Cuccinelli on the court.

The voice of the people is critical in keeping fairness, balance and progress at the fore when it comes to appointments and a variety of legislation and decisions not only on the state level, but on the national and local levels as well.

We are the arbiters of what is acceptable and our vote is the ultimate tool to hold those who represent us accountable.

We don’t have enough information to offer an opinion yet on the hasty action Wednesday that produced the nomination of Virginia Appeals Court Judge Stephen R. McCullough of Spotsylvania. While he appears to have the high court position sewn up because he has the backing of Republican majorities in the House and Senate, he has several other things going in his favor: After earning his law degree from the University of Richmond, he served as a law clerk to state Supreme Court Justice Leroy R. Hassell Sr., the first African-American chief justice in the court’s history. We plan to examine Judge McCullough’s record more closely.

Judge McCullough also had many years of legal service in the state Office of the Attorney General before being named to the Court of Appeals in mid-2011.

Virginia deserves a justice with high character and judgment on the state Supreme Court, and not a hack who would use the court to advance his own political message and agenda.

Shame on the GOP legislators for trying to push such a shameful specimen as Mr. Cuccinelli on the people of Virginia and to such a highly respected and important position.

And we urge voters to hold accountable those elected officials who have turned this important decision into an undignified political circus.

The wall For those who are watching the presidential nominating contest like a horse race, here are the latest results since Super Tuesday and Virginia’s participation: On the Democratic side, Hillary Clinton won Mississippi and Louisiana, while Bernie Sanders won Michigan, Kansas, Nebraska and Maine.

On the Republican side, Donald Trump claimed Hawaii, Michigan, Mississippi, Kentucky and Louisiana, while Ted Cruz won Idaho, Kansas and Maine.

In case you missed it, as the final votes rolled in on Super Tuesday, March 1, Google searches for “How to move to Canada” spiked, according to analytics by Google Trends.

By midnight, such searches went up 1,150 percent.

Faced with the scary possibility of Mr. Trump becoming the GOP nominee for president after his seven-state victory that night, many people apparently rushed to their computers to start planning their exit strategy from the United States.

We find it ironic that in this campaign filled with Republican vitriol about immigrants racing from Mexico, Syria and elsewhere to cross the U.S. border, many of our own residents are thinking of packing and heading north out of the country.

So how’s Canada taking it?

We haven’t heard yet.

But wouldn’t it be laughable if, like the Republicans here, Canadian leaders, too, are thinking of building a wall to keep Americans out?

Our only question: Will they make us pay for it?

Sandra Sellars/Richmond Free Press

Mexico neighbor not enemy Presidential campaigns often turn raw. Politicians reach for sound bites that bite. Often they gain by playing on fears, winning by division, not by addition. In 2016, insult has become the coin of the campaign, particularly in the Republican primaries. And too often the enemy singled out has been Mexico and Mexicans.

Mexico has been burlesqued as a source of illegal immigrants who are slandered as rapists and criminals.

Mexico is accused of taking our factories abroad and Mexican immigrants of stealing our jobs at home. Trumpets sound for building a wall across a 2,000-mile border, for deporting millions of Mexicans living in America, for booting out the dreamers who were born here, and more.

We would be wise to step back and take a deep breath. Mexico isn’t our back door; it is our next door neighbor. One hundred million people live in the 10 U.S. and Mexican states along the border

region, and taken together, these form the equivalent of the fourth largest economy in the world. Our ties with Mexico are deep, our peoples intertwined. They should not be reduced to a sound bite or an insult.

Thirty-four million Mexicans and Mexican-Americans live in the United States; about 22 million were born here. Every day, the United States and Mexico

Jesse L. Jackson Sr. exchange $1.4 billion in two-way trade. Mexico is our second largest export market after Canada. Mexico buys more U.S. goods than all of the BRICS (Brazil, Russia, India, China and Singapore) combined, nearly as much as the entire EU. Mexico is the third largest supplier of crude oil to the United States.

It is the largest export market for U.S. refined petroleum products and a growing market for our natural gas.

Cooperation between our two great countries is inescapable. We must and do coordinate on transportation, on legal entry points, on international organized crime, on trans-border infectious diseases and

trans-border environmental challenges. In recent years, focus has necessarily been placed on criminal activity — the flow of drugs coming north and the flow of guns and contraband cash going south. We are the biggest market for illegal drugs in the world. Our appetites feed the criminal drug rings that threaten entire countries. We have an obligation and a national interest in bolstering enforcement on both sides of the border.

We don’t need a wall; we need a bridge. We are neighbors, bound together by geography and by history. Now we hear all these fulminations about undocumented workers.

People don’t leave their homes on a lark. They flee parched earth for green grass. For too long, we have exploited Mexican workers on both sides of the border. They pick our fruit and vegetables. They clean our houses. They fight and die in our wars, hoping for a green card and a shot at an American dream.

Mexicans didn’t take our jobs to Mexico; U.S. corporations used NAFTA to take our jobs to Mexico.

Mexicans don’t seek sub-minimum wages here. U.S. employers exploit the undocumented to pad their own pockets.

This furious debate about immi-

The U.S. Supreme Court and the elephant in the room Race remains the unspoken elephant in the room amid the growing controversy over who should replace Justice Antonin Scalia on the U.S. Supreme Court.

For many African-Americans, the lasting image of Justice Scalia will likely remain his recent harsh words about affirmative action. He suggested that black students performed better at less competitive schools.

Justice Scalia’s pungent, textual interpretation of the Constitution gained him few friends among black Americans, who have historically sought to re-imagine, optimistically, the framer’s original intent — a version of democracy that included sharecroppers alongside plantation owners, the landless beside the gentry.

Justice Scalia’s death casts a strobe light on the crisis of race and democracy in America today.

Pervasive racial and economic injustice has made the past two years echo the turbulence and activism associated with the civil rights era of the late 1950s and early 1960s.

Decades of injustice under Jim Crow segregation laws ultimately triggered social and political unrest during the Civil Rights Movement’s heroic period. Now, the increasing acknowledgment of institutional racism in the U.S. criminal justice system and high-profile police killings of unarmed black men and women inspired the Black Lives Matter movement.

But just as the civil rights

victories in the 1960s led to a major political realignment — with millions of outraged Dixiecrats voting for George Wallace in 1968, Richard M. Nixon in 1972 and then strongly backing Ronald Reagan in 1980 and 1984 — President Obama winning the White House and the perceived advancements by black people could spur another political

Peniel E. Joseph realignment built on race.

Donald Trump’s meteoric rise as a Republican presidential candidate feeds on a toxic combination of economic anxiety and racial intolerance that portions of the white working class have embraced with a passion. These supporters echo the ugly nativism of the early 20th century. White people shut out of the economic recovery by neoliberal monetary, trade and public policies have chosen to scapegoat President Obama’s presence in the White House as the locus of their ills, rather than the class of billionaire oligarchs that Mr. Trump exemplifies.

A new Supreme Court justice could trigger tectonic shifts in the nation’s political, social, economic and cultural landscape. Pending cases on the court’s docket focus on immigration reform, environmental policy, labor rights and affirmative action.

Black America, disproportionately struggling with serious economic and social problems related to all these issues, has a vested interest in the outcomes of many of these decisions. AfricanAmericans, for example, face continuing serious health problems from the lead that leeched into the Flint, Mich., water system. State

government and elected officials repeatedly ignored many of their early complaints about the city’s new water supply. These citizens of color were not the voters that the state government cared about.

Meanwhile, the 2013 Supreme Court Shelby v. Holder decision, which gutted the 1965 Voting Rights Act, has helped usher in a more restrictive and racially biased standard for poll access that may affect the 2016 presidential election. With this ruling, the court may have provided an unfair advantage to the Republican Party because it made going to the polls more difficult for African-Americans, the poor and people of color — all crucial components of the new Democratic majority.

One way that President Obama could influence the presidential election’s outcome would be to nominate a black woman as Justice Scalia’s replacement. It is long past due that a black woman serves on the nation’s highest court.

One obvious choice is Loretta Lynch, the first black woman to serve as U.S. attorney general.

Though her confirmation hearing was long delayed by the Senate, Ms. Lynch was eventually approved, 56 to 43.

Much has been made about the symbolic power of placing Rosa Parks or Harriet Tubman on the $10 bill. But appointing Ms. Lynch to the Supreme Court would be a more substantive sign of racial and gender progress in the 21st century.

If President Obama has the courage to nominate Ms. Lynch for the high court, we may witness the kind of watershed social progress and commitment to racial justice that the late justice sadly spent so much of his career opposing.

The Free Press welcomes letters The Richmond Free Press respects the opinions of its readers. We want to hear from you.

We invite you to write the editor. All letters will be considered for publication. Concise, typewritten letters related to public matters are preferred. Also include your telephone number(s). Letters should be addressed to: Letters to the Editor, Richmond Free Press, P.O. Box 27709, 422 East Franklin Street, Richmond, VA 23261, or faxed to: (804) 643-7519 or e-mail: letters@richmondfreepress.com.

gration is taking place as illegal immigration has virtually disappeared due to the lack of jobs in the United States. The biggest flood of immigration came after NAFTA forced family farmers in Mexico to compete with subsidized agribusiness in the United States. Many lost their lands and their livelihood and came north to survive. We need economic policies that work for working people on both sides of the border, not a policy of division and insult that allows employers to keep exploiting workers in both countries.

America’s strength is its diversity. And our security is enhanced by having close relations with our neighbors. American workers have every reason to be angry about an economy that is rigged to work against them and a politics that is corrupted by big money. But our Mexican neighbors didn’t do that, and building a wall won’t change it. The politics of insult ends up insulting us.

The writer is founder and president of the Chicago-based Rainbow PUSH Coalition.

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Richmond Free Press

March 10-12, 2016

A7

Letter to the Editor

Acknowledging 400 years of African-American history As the U.S. Senate considered a resolution to recognize Black History Month last month, I paused to reflect on all the ways that African-Americans have contributed to this nation.

I thought about how American moral leadership wouldn’t be as strong without Frederick Douglass, Harriet Tubman, Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. or Thurgood Marshall. I thought about how American literature wouldn’t be as prolific without the giants of the Harlem Renaissance. I thought about how American music would never have conquered the world without pioneers like Robert Johnson, Louis Armstrong, Marian Anderson and James Brown.

I thought about the innovation and ingenuity present in the invention of the modern traffic light, perfection of the carbon filament and use of the mathematics that propelled Apollo astronauts to the moon.

African-American culture is American culture, and AfricanAmerican discoveries are American discoveries. Without the accomplishments of African-Americans, the United States could not boast the ingenuity and cultural richness that we cherish.

All across the country last month, Americans took the time to recognize this fact.

In 2019, we will mark an important milestone in AfricanAmerican history. On Feb. 11, I joined leaders from the NAACP,

U.S. Sen. Mark Warner, Congressmen Bobby Scott and Don Beyer, and G.K. Butterfield, chairman of the Congressional Black Caucus, to introduce the 400 Years of African American History Commission Act. This bill would establish a commission to plan programs and activities across the country to recognize the arrival and influence of Africans and their descendants in America since 1619. The commission would be charged with highlighting the resilience and contributions of African-Americans, as well as acknowledging the painful impact that slavery and other atrocities have had on our nation.

In recent years, Congress has commemorated the English and Spanish heritage of our nation’s founding by establishing commissions to mark the 400th anniversary of the founding of Jamestown and the 450th anniversary of the founding of St. Augustine, Fla. August 2019 will mark 400 years after the first documented arrival of Africans who came to English America by way of Point Comfort, Va. Not only is it appropriate to establish a commission that would recognize the contributions of African-Americans, it is historically significant to acknowledge that the “20 and odd” Africans (as it was recorded) were the first recorded group of Africans to be sold as involuntary laborers or indentured servants in the English colonies.

If Congress saw fit to create federal commissions to affirm that our English and Spanish roots matter, then Congress should also see fit to affirm that our country’s African roots matter.

With this year’s Black History Month concluded, we remember the tragic way in which African-American history began and draw inspiration from the heroes and trailblazers who fought under our country’s principle that all people are created equal. These heroes and trailblazers and the millions of African-Americans who have worked, created, invented, discovered, lived, aged and died over the past 400 years have molded our national character such that the United States would be unrecognizable and, indeed, lesser without their cumulative presence.

It is my hope that the 400 Years of African American History Commission Act will create an opportunity to bring these stories to the forefront of our consciousness and create a space to discuss race relations in America as we focus on completely dismantling the institutional systems that have adversely hindered African-American progress.

U.S. Sen. Tim Kaine Washington The writer previously served as Richmond’s mayor and Virginia’s governor. He now represents Virginia in the U.S. Senate.

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Richmond Free Press

A8 March 10-12, 2016

Sports Stories by Fred Jeter

VUU and VSU in NCAA

Lady Panthers play at Barco-Stevens Friday

Trojans play first game Saturday

You can make a powerful case for Johnson pumped in a VUU-record Virginia Union University’s Kiana John45 points in a Feb. 1 victory over Linson being the best basketball player in coln University. She scored 41 points the NCAA Division II. in the CIAA semifinal game against As the 64-team Division II version Livingstone College and 32 points in of March Madness commences, VUU the championship game against Shaw will try to prove that not only does it University. have the top player, but it has the top Despite all that, the “Windy City team player as well.

Wonder” is no one-woman team.

Coach AnnMarie Gilbert’s Lady Lady Walker, a 6-foot-2 junior from Panthers will carry a 25-2 record and a Cleveland, averages 18.4 points and 13.3 Coach Gilbert 12-game winning streak into the NCAA rebounds and would earn top billing on Division II Atlantic Regional competijust about any other team in America. tion at Barco-Stevens Hall on the VUU Rahni Bell of Washington averages campus, 1500 N. Lombardy St. 9.6 points per game, Taylor White of VUU opens at 5 p.m. Friday, March LaPlata, Md., 8.7 points per game, and 11, against Indiana University of PennAshley Smith of Bear, Del., 80 points sylvania (21-8) from the Pennsylvania per game.

Athletic Conference.

Overall, the Lady Panthers average A 5-foot-9 senior dynamo, Johnson 85 points while allowing just 64. has been scintillating in her single The Atlantic Region champ will VUU season since transferring from advance to the Elite Eight March 22-23 Michigan State University, where she Kiana Johnson in Sioux Falls, S.D. was a three-year starter.

The NCAA Division II championship game The Chicago native leads the NCAA Division will be Monday, April 4, in Indianapolis.

II in scoring (28.6 average), is second in assists The regional field includes three CIAA teams (8.9), third in steals (4.19) and has a motor that — VUU, Shaw and Chowan universities. VUU never idles, much less stops. She rarely rests, as won the NCAA championship in 1983. Shaw was her average 38.2 minutes per game indicates. the 2012 NCAA champ.

Famed UCLA basketball Coach ged Mountain East Conference.

John Wooden traveled cross country The winner of the VSU-Fairmont long ago to tiny Franklinton, N.C., game will play the winner of the population 2,023, to sign Henry Concord University-West Liberty Bibby.

University matchup, both from West The standout guard proceeded Virginia, on Sunday, March 13. to help Coach Wooden’s Bruins For VSU to advance, the Trojans to NCAA titles in 1970, 1971 and will need continued exceptional play 1972. from Williams, who averages 14.8 Now another Franklinton athlete, points and 4.2 rebounds.

Kevin “Roc” Williams, is in the The 5-foot-10 junior leads the Coach Blow NCAA basketball headlines. team in 3-pointers with 52 and in Williams, who was most valuable foul shooting, 83 percent. player of the 2016 CIAA tournament, Williams has heard many stories is a leading light for Coach Lonnie about Bibby, who attended FranklinBlow’s CIAA champion Virginia ton’s Person-Albion High School.

State University Trojans.

“I don’t know how often he’s The Trojans, 23-5 and winners there, but Henry Bibby owns the of 12 of their last 13 outings, are biggest house in Franklinton,” said traveling to Wheeling, W.Va., for the Williams.

NCAA Division II Atlantic Region Bibby’s brother, Fred Bibby, was competition that starts Saturday, a longtime coach and educator at Kevin Williams March 12.

Richmond’s John Marshall High As the No. 6 seed, VSU has drawn No. School.

3 Fairmont State University in Fairmont, VSU hasn’t played since defeating LivW.Va., in the quarterfinal at noon Saturday, ingstone College Feb. 27 at the CIAA finals March 12. in Charlotte, N.C. The only other HBCU in Fairmont is 25-4, and lost to Notre Dame the 64-team field is SIAC champion Stillman College of Ohio in the quarterfinals of the rug- College in Tuscaloosa, Ala.

NCAA Division II Women’s Atlantic Region Games to be played at Barco-Stevens Hall on the VUU campus, 1500 N. Lombardy St. Quarterfinals: Friday, March 11 Noon — No. 3 seed West Liberty University (W.Va.) vs. No. 6 Shaw University (N.C.) 2:30 p.m. — No. 2 California University of Pennsylvania vs. No. 7 Chowan University (N.C.) 5 p.m. — No. 1 Virginia Union University vs.

No. 8 Indiana University of Pennsylvania 7:30 p.m. — No. 4 Wheeling Jesuit University (W.Va.) vs. No. 5 West Chester University (Penn.)

Semifinals: Saturday, March 12 5 p.m. and 7:30 p.m.

VUU would play in the 5 p.m. game if victorious on March 11 Final: Monday, March 14, 7 p.m.

Regional champion advances to the Elite Eight March 22-23 in Sioux Falls, S.D. *Game times may change.

Go to www.vuusports.com

NCAA Men’s Division II Atlantic Region Games to be played at Wheeling Jesuit University in Wheeling, W.Va. Quarterfinals: Saturday, March 12 Noon — No. 3 Fairmont State University (W.Va.) vs. No. 6 Virginia State University 2:30 p.m. — No. 2 West Liberty University (W.Va.) vs. No. 7 Concord University (W.Va.) 6 p.m. — No. 1 Wheeling Jesuit University (W.Va.) vs. No. 8 Mercyhurst University (Penn.)

8:30 p.m. — No. 4 Kutztown University (Penn.) vs. No. 5 West Chester University (Penn.)

Courtesy of Virginia Union University Athletic Department

Members of the Virginia Union University Lady Panthers basketball team and their supporters cheer Sunday’s announcement by the NCAA that VUU would host the Division II Women’s Atlantic Region Tournament at the VUU’s Barco-Stevens Hall March 11 through 14.

Semifinals: Sunday, March 13 5 p.m. and 7:30 p.m.

VSU would play in 5 p.m. game if victorious March 12.

Final: Tuesday, March 15, 7 p.m.

Regional champion advances to the Elite Eight on March 23 in Frisco, Texas

VCU Rams looking for A-10 tourney win

Virginia Commonwealth University is trekking to Brooklyn, N.Y., this weekend with mostly fond memories of the sprawling New York City borough.

The vast Barclays Center, site of the Atlantic 10 Conference basketball tournament, has been like Siegel Center North for the Rams and their fanatical fans.

VCU won the Atlantic 10 Tournament last year, posting four straight victories as the fifth seed. The Rams were runner-up the two previous seasons in the five-day, 14-school event.

Overall, VCU is an impressive 8-2 in three trips to the Barclays Center, advancing to the NCAA Tournament each time. It helps that the Black & Gold enjoys by far the largest, loudest (some say rowdiest) cheering section of the competing schools.

VCU, as the No. 2 seed this week, will open Friday, March 11, with a 6:30 p.m. quarterfinal game against the winner of Thursday’s University of Rhode Island vs. University of Massachusetts play-in.

If form holds, the Rams (22-9) would face

either No. 3 St. Bonaventure University or No. 4 St. Joseph’s University in the semifinals 4 p.m.

Saturday, March 12.

The University of Dayton, after defeating the Rams 68-67 in overtime March 5 in Ohio, is the No. 1 seed. The regional championship game is slated for 12:30 p.m. Sunday, March 13, with the winner getting an automatic NCAA bid.

If unable to successfully defend its Atlantic 10 title, VCU has a dicey chance of going to the NCAA Tournament.

Entering this week, the Rams have the fourth

best RPI (a power formula used by NCAA to determine at-large selections) in the A-10.

Of 351 Division I schools, the Rams are ranked No. 44 behind the Coach Wade University of Dayton (No. 22), St. Joseph’s University (No. 27) and St. Bonaventure (No. 29).

Other A-10 contenders are George Washington University (No. 60), Davidson College (No. 68), University of Rhode Island (No. 103) and the University of Richmond (No. 120).

If VCU doesn’t make the NCAA, it surely would be a top seed in the NIT, with perhaps as many as three home games.

A rising Ram, literally and 6-foot-2 Reginald Johnson, Jr. from Ohio University. figuratively, is 6-foot-7 Justin Both Chievous (averaging 17.3 points, 11.2 rebounds) and Tillman. The sophomore from Johnson (18.6 points, 3.6 assists) hail from Chicago.

Detroit had 12 points and HU also led MEAC in attendance this season by a wide mara whopping 21 rebounds in gin, averaging 4,359 fans in 11 dates at the Hampton University the loss to the University of Convocation Center. NSU, by contrast, averaged a disappointing Dayton.

1,991 fans in 11 home games.

That’s the most by any Ram Coach Robert Jones’Spartans, since Larry Sanders snatched paced by Jeff Short (15.8 points 21 rebounds in 2009 against per game) and D’shon Taylor (13.4 George Mason University. The points per game), lead in team VCU record for most rebounds scoring (74.5 points). Bouncy in a game is 28, set by Jabo “Air” Jordan Butler is third in the Wilkins against the former MEAC with 69 blocked shots.

Southeastern University in Howard University’s James Washington in 1970.

Daniel III enters the tournament Tillman is VCU’s reboundas the NCAA’s leading scorer, ing leader (6.1 rebounds per with an average of 27.2 points game) despite playing just 17 per game. Runner-up is Oklahoma minutes per game.

University’s Buddy Hield with The 342-mile Richmond 25.3 points per game. to Brooklyn haul has done From Hampton’s Phoebus little, if anything, to trip up High School, Daniel played in the Rams. the Richmond area for the AAU From 1996 to 2012, VCU Team Loaded as a 15-, 16- and had a clear hometown advanReginald Johnson, Jr. 17-year-old. tage, but so-so results at its The same squad, Team Loaded, included Petersburg High conference tournament.

School’s Frank Mason, now at the University of Kansas, and In 17 tries at the Richmond Cosby High School’s Troy Caupain with the University of Coliseum, the Rams won five Cincinnati.

Colonial Athletic Association The MEAC champion will almost surely be place again in tournaments, twice under Coach the First Four in Dayton, Ohio, March 15 and 16.

Anthony Grant (2007 and 2009) The NCAA pairings largely are based on the Ratings Percentand once each under Coach age Index (RPI). Out of 351 Division I schools, the highest rated Sonny Smith (1996), Coach MEAC school is HU at 177.

Jeff Capel III (2004) and Coach Shaka Smart (2012).

Hampton U. Pirates favored to win MEAC Tournament 2016 MEAC Basketball Tournament Norfolk Scope Men’s Games Thursday, March 10 Quarterfinals 6 and about 8:45 p.m.

Friday, March 11 Semifinals 6 and about 8:45 p.m.

Saturday, March 12 Final 1 p.m., broadcast live on ESPNU Women’s Games Thursday, March 10 Quarterfinals noon and about 2:45 p.m.

Friday, March 11 Semifinals noon and about 2:45 p.m.

Saturday, March 12 Final about 4:30 p.m., delayed broadcast on ESPNU at 11 a.m.

Sunday, March 13

Hampton University has the MEAC’s best basketball record, and arguably the conference’s two best players.

Its archrival, Norfolk State University, however, has the last regular season laugh, as well as hometown advantage, heading into this week’s MEAC Tournament at the Norfolk Scope.

Coach Ed “Buck” Joyner’s HU Pirates won last year’s tournament in upset fashion, beating the No. 1 and No. 2 seeds. And the HU Pirates are certainly among the favorites this go-round.

HU will travel across the Hampton Roads Bridge-Tunnel to the Norfolk Scope as top seed, with an 18-10 overall record and 13-3 worksheet within the MEAC Conference.

But in its last scheduled game on March 3, the Pirates lost 83-63 to NSU at the Spartans’ Echols Hall. The Pirates won their first meeting 86-76 on Jan. 30 in Hampton.

NSU enters the tournament at 16-15 overall and 12-4 in the conference — and with the momentum of blitzing its next Quinton Chievous door neighbor.

The Spartans last won the MEAC title in 2013, when the team famously went on to stun No. 2 seed University of Missouri in the NCAA regionals.

Hampton University prevailed last year at the Scope, then scored an NCAA First Four victory over Manhattan College in Dayton, Ohio. The Pirates then were eliminated by the University of Kentucky in Louisville.

The Pirates are led by two game-changing transfer players, 6-foot-6 Quinton Chievous from the University of Tennessee and

March 10-12, 2016 B1

Richmond Free Press

Happenings

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Personality: Lee Brazzell Spotlight on local president of the National Association of Women Business Owners Lee Brazzell is on the front lines promoting the interests of women business owners as president of the Richmond/ Southeast Virginia Chapter of the National Association of Women Business Owners (NAWBO).

She was elected to the post in 2015 and is committed to serving two more years.

Since 1982, NAWBO Richmond has “provided a strong voice and vision for a dynamic group of women business owners and corporate partners in Central Virginia,” Mrs. Brazzell proudly says.

The Richmond chapter has about 100 members and now could gain up to 100 more after adding Southeast Virginia women business owners to its membership during the past month. The chapter is one of two in Virginia. Nationally, the organization has more than 7,000 members in nearly 70 chapters in the United States and 35 other countries.

Based in McLean, NAWBO is the only dues-based national organization that “represents the interests of all women entrepreneurs that own and operate businesses in a variety of areas,” Mrs. Brazzell says.

The organization was founded in 1975, Mrs. Brazzell says, when a group of women in Washington organized to fight a law barring women from getting loans or credit cards without a male co-signer. In 1988, Congress repealed the law.

NAWBO is described on its website as “a one-stop resource to propelling women business owners into greater economic, social and political spheres of power worldwide.”

According to national estimates, about 9 million women own businesses, with 2.9 million of those owned by minority women.

Mrs. Brazzell and the Richmond/Southeast Virginia NAWBO chapter will celebrate the accomplishments of exceptional local women entrepreneurs and community leaders at their 18th Annual Women of Excellence Awards Dinner.

Christie Garton, founder and CEO of Washington-based UChic will deliver the keynote address at the event 6 p.m.

Thursday, March 17, at the Hilton Richmond Hotel & Spa/ Short Pump.

Lisa Schaffner, director of public relations and marketing at Richmond-based UNOS, will serve as emcee.

Four women are to be honored as Entrepreneur of the Year, Rising Star, Community Leader and Student Entrepreneur of the Year. Proceeds will benefit the Richmond NAWBO Foundation, which supports the educational programs of the local NAWBO chapter.

For more information: www.nawborichmond.org.

In her professional capacity, Mrs. Brazzell is CEO of Richmond-based Transformation Consultants LLC, a diversified organizational development and research consulting firm.

This week’s Personality, Lee Brazzell, is all about business: Date and place of birth: March 6 in Brooklyn, N.Y. Education: Bachelor’s and master’s degree, University of Georgia; graduate studies, Mississippi State University and Central Michigan University.

Family: Husband, Louis Brazzell; son, Austin.

Other top volunteer positions: Chair of the Hampton Roads Chamber of Commerce, Portsmouth Division; Chair of the Chesterfield County Multicultural Advisory Commission.

The goal of NAWBO is: To

Success, Toys for Tots, mentoring, and leadership development.

Status of businesses owned by women in Richmond area: Members are sole business owners that started their businesses from scratch.

Women-owned businesses have been in the business an average of 11.9 years, with nearly half in the professional and business services sector.

fully represent the diverse makeup of female business owners through increased representation within ethnic and minority communities, while expanding access to leadership opportunities. NAWBO’s strength comes from its diversity.

Its mission: Strengthening the wealth-creating capacity of our members and promoting economic development; creating innovative and effective changes in the business culture; building strategic alliances, coalitions and affiliations; and transforming public policy and influencing opinion.

To become a member: www. nawbo.org/membership.

When and why the Richmond chapter was founded: Through events such as the Women of Excellence Awards and monthly meetings, NAWBO Richmond’s programs are designed to create business opportunities within the community; build strategic alliances through partnerships and networking; educate the public about women-owned businesses; influence public policy; present a united front; and promote leadership within the civic and business communities.

Why I am excited about NABWO: It is the only national women’s business organization that has just completed a study of womanowned business in Virginia.

More than 38,000 womenowned business owners were contacted for the study. The number of women-owned businesses in Virginia grew an annual average of 4.3 percent from 2007 to 2012. In 2012, the total number of paid employees in Virginia women-owned businesses was 270,683. It was expected to grow to 328,340 in 2015. The total revenue of all women-owned businesses in Virginia was $45 billion in 2012, accounting for 5.3 percent of all the revenue of all firms in the state. The main challenges of women and business in Virginia are in the areas of fundamental business operations, business development and access to capital. The impact of the study has far-reaching influences on public policy, capacity building and projects for women-owned business.

Involvement of NABWO in the community: Dress for

Status of businesses owned by black women: Minority women are fueling growth in female entrepreneurship.

The number of minority woman-owned firms in the United States more than doubled to 2.9 million from 1997 to 2014. The findings show that minority women have gone from one out of every six women-owned businesses to one out of every three. This kind of growth is something short of phenomenal, given that it has taken less than a generation.

Your response: Great, if the trend continues upward.

Government’s role in advancing women-owned businesses: To expand upon and help create successful programs and small business associations to assist women-owned businesses.

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first meet me: I give off a very positive outlook and am always ready to do business.

Nobody knows that I: Love jazz music.

The one thing I can’t stand: Injustice at any level regarding anyone.

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Person who influenced me the most: My mother. She was one of the first black female fur shop owners in New York City.

The best thing my parents ever taught me was: Look at everyone equally and always accept them for who they are.

Question:

When should I start taking my child to the dentist?

The book that influenced me the most: I can’t think of one singular book that had more influence than the others I take knowledge from.

What I’m reading now: “Year of Yes: How to Dance It Out, Stand in the Sun and Be Your Own Person” by Shonda Rhimes.

My next goal: Help increase the visibility and viability of women-owned businesses in Virginia.

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NOW ACCEPTING APPLICATIONS FOR Beautillion 2016

Advice to aspiring business owners: Believe in your business and show dedication to your business. Seek out leading experts who can help you grow in all aspects of yourself and your business. And be aware of the economic environment and how it may impact your business.

Pluses of business ownership: Owning a business gives you the ability to fully utilize your creative perspective for the business. It allows freedom of expression and innovation. It gives the owner the ability to identify opportunities that will allow them to innovate and reinvent their business based off their values. And it provides the ability to contribute to the community in a multitude of ways.

Minuses: Constant working on your business — and very little sleep.

Leadership is: Creating vision and inspiring others to work together to achieve a common goal or vision of the organization. It requires a delicate balance of respecting and encouraging members.

How I start the day: By reflection and setting my goals for the day.

Perfect day: Sitting at the beach, reading and listening to the sounds of the ocean, followed by great seafood.

PROC Foundation, Inc. is currently accepting applications for its 2016 Beautillion. All male high school sophomores and juniors are welcome to submit an application. The “Beaux” will participate in community service projects, social etiquette classes and leadership development workshops. The culmination of the Beautillion Season will be a formal presentation of the young men at an elegant black-tie affair on November 19, 2016 at the Richmond Convention Center. In addition to cultural and educational activities, participants will have an opportunity to earn scholarships and prizes. An Information Session will take place on Sunday, March 13, 2016. It will begin at 3pm in the Fellowship Hall of Holy Rosary Catholic Church located at 33rd and R Streets. The Information Session will provide the necessary information to help you make your decision on participation. A mandatory Orientation Session will be held on Sunday, April 3, 2016 at 3pm at the Fellowship Hall of Holy Rosary Catholic Church. To obtain an application or additional information, contact Mrs. Brenda J. Foster at beautillion@procfoundation.org , 740-6162 or visit our website at www.procfoundation.org. The deadline to submit an application is April 3, 2016.

Professionals Reaching Out to the Community (PROC) Foundation, Inc. is a not-for –profit, non-stock corporation of Pi Rho Omega Chapter of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc.

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Perfect evening: Dinner with family and friends, followed by a good jazz concert.

How I unwind: I enjoy water aerobics.

Prized possession: My mother’s chain.

Best late-night snack: Shrimp.

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Richmond Free Press

B2 March 10-12, 2016

Happenings

SisterFund giving circle seeks community change

By Joey Matthews

support, Ms. Harris said.

She said the group’s founding members informally had discussed establishing an African-American women’s giving circle for several years. Their organizational efforts began in earnest last fall.

Serving in high-octane jobs, SisterFund’s six founding members are familiar with the needs in the Richmond community. In addition to Ms. Harris, the founders are Richmond City Councilwomen Cynthia I. Newbille and Ellen F. Robertson, Delegate Delores L. McQuinn, Evette Roots of the city’s Office of Community Wealth Building, and Veronica Fleming, executive director of the

Twenty philanthropically minded women have come together to have a greater impact on giving in the Richmond community.

With their spirit and their dollars, they have created SisterFund, a giving circle dedicated to the empowerment of women and girls in the Greater Richmond areas.

Each member has pledged to contribute $1,100 annually to SisterFund, which plans to donate $20,000 in September to Photo by Johnese DuPree an area nonprofit organization The founding members of the new giving circle that they determine best serves SisterFund are, from left, Cynthia I. Newbille, Ellen F. the giving circle’s goal to help Robertson, Evette Roots, Veronica Fleming, Greta Harris African-American women and and Delores L. McQuinn. girls make “gains in education, workforce, leadership development and health.”

Partnership for Families.

Members of SisterFund told the Free Press they will issue an “We’ve known and worked in the community over the announcement in early April seeking applications for funding years in various capacities,” said Ms. Newbille, who is chair from nonprofits. of SisterFund.

“We talked about the idea of being able to leverage a small “Our paths have often crossed in working in local governamount of resources to have a bigger community impact,” said ment, nonprofits, health organizations and other areas. Some Greta Harris, CEO and president of the Better Housing Coali- of us have met in the workplace. This is an incredible group tion, who is a founding member of SisterFund. of women that I feel honored to be associated with in such a With its debut, SisterFund joins other Richmond giving circles worthwhile endeavor.” such as Ujima, an African-American men’s charitable giving Ms. Harris said the group would focus on “helping those in group, and the all-women Impact 100 in helping to enrich the impoverished communities in the city. There are a lot of people lives of others through collective giving. in need and we hope to help as many as we can.”

SisterFund is working in partnership with The Community Women interested in joining SisterFund can find membership Foundation, which is providing guidance and administrative information at www.sisterfundrva.org.

Dr. and Mrs. Haskell

Miss Thompson marries Dr. Haskell As the featured “Personality” in the Free Press edition published July 18-20, 2013, Dr. Marlon A. Haskell, pastor of Chicago Avenue Baptist Church, said his next goal was “to marry again, and fulfill God’s assignment for our lives.”

Well …

Dr. Haskell and Angela Rene Thompson of Richmond were joined in holy matrimony Saturday, Dec. 19. Dr. Don J. Hayes, pastor emeritus of Springfield Baptist Church in Mechanicsville, officiated at the ceremony held at Chicago Avenue Baptist Church.

The bride is the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Joseph J. Jones Jr. She earned a bachelor’s degree in accounting from Pace University and a master’s degree in information technology from Webster University. She is a certified public accountant employed as senior lead auditor with Altria Client Services LLC. The groom is the son of Juanita Haskell Anderson and Cornelius Anderson, and William Edward Page. He earned a bachelor’s degree in rehabilitation services from Virginia Commonwealth University and his master’s of divinity and doctorate of ministry from Virginia Union University’s Samuel DeWitt Proctor School of Theology.

Dr. Haskell also is president of the Baptist Ministers’ Conference of Richmond and Vicinity.

Following an April honeymoon in Hawaii, the couple will reside in Chester.

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Volunteer Carolyn Hawley of the Richmond Alumnae Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority wears her Dr. Seuss hat as she engages third-graders at Overby-Sheppard Elementary School in reading last Friday. She was among a cadre of volunteers who participated in special programs and activities at nine Richmond elementary schools for in celebration of Read Across America. Local and national efforts were designed to motivate children and teens to read. The National Education Association organizes the annual initiative.

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(804) 358-3406 MLW Class Bobbi Kristina’s autopsy TER IN W shows mixture of drugs, alcohol of 1967 SPECIAL

A judge on March 3 ordered Ms. ATLANTA Brown’s autopsy report to be unsealed Bobbi Kristina Brown’s autopsy over the objections of prosecutors, who report contained evidence of recent said it would compromise an ongoing cocaine use by the daughter of Bobby criminal investigation. No one has Brown and the late Whitney Houston been charged in her death. before she was found unresponsive in In a civil lawsuit, Ms. Brown’s a bathtub in her home last year. But former boyfriend, Nick Gordon, has a medical examiner’s office said last been accused of causing her death Ms. Brown Friday it could not establish whether and stealing from her bank account her death after months in a coma was accidental while she was in a coma. or intentional.

Mr. Gordon’s spokesman was unavailable for Ms. Brown suffered brain damage and died comment. He previously called the lawsuit, filed by of pneumonia resulting from drug intoxication the conservator of Ms. Brown’s estate, “slanderous and her face being immersed in water, the Fulton and meritless.”

County Medical Examiner said.

Ms. Brown was found face down in her bathtub The circumstances under which the aspiring in January 2015 and died in July. She was under the 22-year-old singer entered a bathtub in her home influence of marijuana, alcohol, a cocaine-related in North Atlanta are unknown, the autopsy report substance called benzoylecgonine, morphine and said, leading the medical examiner to classify benzodiazepines, which are medications used her manner of death as undetermined. for sedation or to treat anxiety, according to the The findings also do not resolve the question medical examiner. It is not known whether the of whether someone gave Ms. Brown a deadly morphine was from heroin, the report said. drug cocktail, said University of Georgia law The circumstances echoed the 2012 death of professor Ron Carlson.

Ms. Brown’s famous mother, who drowned in “We have the cause of death but not the manner a hotel bathtub in Beverly Hills, Calif. Cocaine of death,” he said. “This doesn’t completely resolve abuse and heart disease contributed to Ms. this. There is still some suspense and drama.”

Houston’s death at age 48, authorities said.

Free Press wire report

reunion meeting

Members of the Maggie L. Walker High School Class of 1967 will hold a planning meeting for next year’s 50th Anniversary Reunion at 1 p.m. Saturday, March 19, at Fifth Baptist Church, 1415 W. Cary St. Further information: Marvin Harris, (804) 240-1418.

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Richmond Free Press

March 10-12, 2016

B3

Happenings

Wall art exemplifies the child-friendly approach of the new pavilion that will welcome the first patients and families on Monday, March 21.

VCU Children’s Pavilion opens Photos by Sandra Sellars/Richmond Free Press

A new landmark in Downtown, VCU’s Children’s Pavilion fills the block at 10th and Broad streets.

Gov. Terry McAuliffe, third from left, cuts the ribbon at the grand opening ceremony Wednesday. Joining him, from left, Leslie Wyatt, executive director of the Children’s Hospital; VCU President Michael Rao; John DuVal, CEO of VCU Health Systems; Brianna Burke and her mother, Nicole Hauser; and Maggie Raph holding her son, Carter.

It’s being described as the biggest development Amenities include parking, a curb-free drop-off in child health care in Central Virginia. area for those in strollers and wheelchairs; a After more than five years of planning and Ronald McDonald House Sibling Center, a Sky construction, the new $200 million Children’s Terrace and interactive displays.

Pavilion outpatient treatment center was celAccording to officials, this is just the first ebrated with fanfare Wednesday, just days before step in improving services offered through the its planned opening to patients and families on Children’s Hospital of Richmond at Virginia Monday, March 21.

Commonwealth University.

Gov. Terry McAuliffe joined in the festive Behind the scenes, VCU continues planning for ribbon-cutting for the new Downtown addition to new facilities on the medical campus, including the Children’s Hospital of Richmond at Virginia development of a hospital for inpatient children’s Commonwealth University. care, according to VCU spokeswoman Pamela The governor lauded the massive 15-story D. Lepley. building at 10th and Broad streets neighboring City Hall as “a milestone in advancing children’s health care and meeting the growing need for coordinated outpatient services,” that represent 90 percent of pediatric care.

The new building combines space for clinical services, research and teaching. VCU President Michael Rao said the offerings will make “a profound difference in the lives of children and their families.”

Inside, an array of services, ranging from radiology and orthopedics, to same-day surgery, lab testing Tomeka Anderson in an operating room in the new outpatient and dialysis, will be available in treatment center. Same-day surgeries will be among the offerings. a child-friendly environment.

Co-founders of Black Lives Matter movement to speak in Richmond Two founders of the Black Lives Matter movement, Alicia Garza and Opal Tometi, will be speaking in Richmond this month.

Ms. Garza is to deliver a lecture 4 p.m. Tuesday, March 22, at the University of Richmond’s Tyler Haynes Commons.

Ms. Tometi is scheduled Ms. Garza to speak 7 p.m. Thursday, March 31, at Virginia Commonwealth University’s Siegel Center, 1200 W. Broad St., on the topic “#BlackLivesMatter: Hashtag in Action.”

Both events are open to the public without charge.

UR professors Jan French and Jennifer Erkulwater invited Ms. Garza to the university to complement a course they are teaching on human rights politics.

“We thought she could serve as an inspiration to our students,” Dr. Erkulwater stated in

Ms. Tometi

the announcement, “and frankly to all people who care about social justice and human dignity.”

Ms. Garza helped launch the Black Lives Matter movement when she posted her thoughts on social media about the acquittal of George Zimmerman in the fatal shooting of unarmed teenager Trayvon Martin

in 2013 in Florida.

Ms. Tometi, along with Ms. Garza and Patrisse Cullors, created the Twitter hashtag #BlackLivesMatter after reading Ms. Garza’s post.

The Twitter account helped launch a national uproar over the deaths of unarmed black men, as well as the iconic name and movement that youthful activists have embraced in Richmond and elsewhere.

Ms. Tometi currently is executive director

of the Black Alliance for Just Immigration, a national organization that educates and advocates for immigrant rights and racial justice.

The VCU School of Social Work is sponsoring Ms. Tometi’s visit in cooperation with the school’s Black Lives Matter Student-Faculty Collective.

According to the collective, the goal of bringing Ms. Tometi to Richmond is to serve

as a call to action for improving the situation in this community.

Additional information about the VCU talk: Stephanie Odera, sgodera@vcu.edu or Daryl Fraser at fraserdv@vcu.edu. Both are assistant professors in the VCU School of Social Work.

Additional information about the UR talk: Sunni Brown, (804) 289-8056 or sbrown5@ richmond.edu

Pine Camp hosts performance art exhibit March 18 The Richmond Department of Parks, Recreation and Community Facilities will host a performance art exhibit in honor of Women’s History Month featuring area artists at the Pine Camp Cultural Arts and Community Center, 4901 Old Brook Road.

The one-night exhibit, titled “Women in the Arts,” will be Friday, March 18, from 6:30 to

8:30 p.m. in the Spotlight Gallery.

It will feature choreography, storytelling, and video footage inspired by celebrated women artists, including Lucille Ball, Carmen Miranda and Maya Angelou.

The event is free and open to the public.

Details: Shaunn Casselle or Barbara Brock at (804) 646-6722.

Water collection for Flint residents

Chesterfield County-based Brothers’ Keeper They are 9323 Midlothian Turnpike, Suite S, Inc. is pitching in to provide bottled water to and 54 E. Cedar Fork Road in Henrico County. the people of Flint, Mich.

The bottled water is to be delivered to Flint The agency, which offers programs and ser- on Monday, March 28, according to drive vices to empower youths and their families, is organizers.

CHNA Feedback Print_RFP_5-418x5-25_FINAL.pdf 3/3/16 9:33 AM collectingBSGN-2344 bottled water through Friday, March For more7 information, call (804) 353-3585 or 25, at two locations.

(804) 737-8800.

There are just

TWO WEEKS LEFT

to apply for the Gloucester Institute’s Moton Fellowship Program.

This eight-week summer fellowship includes an all-expense paid, two-day trip to Washington, D.C., one-on-one coaching and mentoring from leading experts, workshops on financial management, personal branding, and effective writing and public speaking, visits to historical sites in Virginia including Holly Knoll, and so much more. Plus, fellows receive a $1,500 stipend.

The deadline to apply is Monday, March 21, 2016.

The Fellowship runs from May 29th to July 22nd.

We encourage highly motivated undergraduate and graduate students to apply.

To apply, visit: GloucesterInstitute.org.

Questions? Contact Chelsi Henry, Director of Programs at 804-644-0671 or programs@gloucesterinstitute.org.

good help

for our community Bon Secours Richmond Health System invites all residents 18 and older living in the greater metropolitan Richmond area to provide feedback on our 2013 Community Health Needs Assessment and Implementation Plan. Your contribution is vital in helping Bon Secours identify health care needs, improve access to health care and enhance the care provided in the communities we serve. Please partner with us to build healthier communities by getting involved in this important effort.

To review the 2013 documents and provide feedback on the Implementation Plan, please visit bonsecours.com/CHNA.

Richmond Free Press

B4 March 10-12, 2016

Obituary/Faith Directory

Former First Lady Nancy Reagan dies As news of Mrs. popular among Reagan’s death GOP voters, has spread, tributes hovered over the poured in from campaign as in Washington to Holprevious years, lywood. President with party canObama, a Demodidates vying to crat, and First Lady claim the mantle Michelle Obama of his legacy. said Mrs. Reagan A Republican redefined the role debate in Septemof first lady. ber took place at “Nancy Reagan the Reagan PresiMrs. Reagan once wrote that dential Library, nothing could prepare you for with an Air Force One jet living in the White House,” providing a backdrop. the Obamas said in a stateMrs. Reagan will be buried ment issued Sunday. “She was next to her husband Friday at right, of course. But we had that library. The public will have a head start because we were a chance to pay their respects fortunate to benefit from her prior to the private funeral proud example, and her warm service, with a public viewing and generous advice.”

Wednesday and Thursday.

The ghost of President The former Nancy Davis was Reagan, who remains deeply a Hollywood actress during the

By Will Dunham Reuters

Nancy Reagan, the former actress who was fiercely protective of her husband, President Ronald Reagan, through a Hollywood career, eight years in the White House, an assassination attempt and his Alzheimer’s disease, died Sunday, March 6, 2016, at her Los Angeles home.

She was 94. The cause of death was congestive heart failure, said a spokeswoman for the Reagan Presidential Library in Simi Valley, Calif.

“She is once again with the man she loved,” her stepson, Michael Reagan, wrote on Twitter.

Mrs. Reagan became one of the most influential first ladies in U.S. history during her husband’s presidency from 1981 to 1989. Presidenr Reagan, a Republican who affectionately called her “Mommy” while she called him “Ronnie,” died in 2004 after a long struggle with Alzheimer’s.

Union Baptist Church Church Anniversary

Moore Street

Sunday, March 13, 2016 11:00 A.M.

Baptist Church

Speaker: Rev. Dr. Earl Bledsoe, Pastor Emeritus Great Hope Baptist Church

Missionary

1408 W. Leigh Street • 358-6403

Dr. Alonza Lawrence

Theme: Celebrating 94 Years: A Journey of Faith Scripture: Hebrews 11:1-2 Colors: Shades of Green

Pastor

Sundays

Church School 8:30 A.M. Morning Worship 10:00 A.M.

Tuesdays

Bible Study 12 noon

Wednesdays

Reception Immediately Following

New Mercies Ministry 6:00 A.M. Youth Bible Study 6:00 P.M. Adult Bible Study 6:30 P.M.

“A

1813 Everett Street Richmond, Virginia 23224 804-231-5884 Reverend Robert C. Davis, Pastor

Musical Evening of Elegance” featuring tenor soloists:

Dr. Arthur Roots, Rev. Nathaniel Morris, Rev. James Lewis and

The Soul Seekers of Mechanicsville, VA Mistress of Ceremonies: Dr. Dolores Whitaker

Saturday, March 12, 2016 5:00 p.m. (reception to follow)

1940s and 1950s and married Ronald Reagan, a prominent film actor, in 1952. She then served as First lady of California during her husband’s stint as governor from 1967 to 1975, before moving into the White House after his victory over incumbent Democratic President Jimmy Carter in 1980.

Her most publicized project as first lady was the “Just Say No” anti-drug campaign. After her husband developed Alzheimer’s disease, she became an advocate for discovering a cure.

As President Reagan’s wife, political partner and adviser, she became one of America’s most potent first ladies, alongside the likes of Franklin Roosevelt’s wife, Eleanor, Woodrow Wilson’s wife, Edith, and Bill Clinton’s wife, Hillary.

Broad Rock Baptist Church 5106 Walmsley Blvd., Richmond, VA 23224 804-276-2740 • 804-276-6535 (fax) www.BRBCONLINE.org



Early Morning Worship ~ 8 a.m.

Sunday School ~ 9:30 a.m.

Morning Worship ~ 11 a.m.

4th Sunday Unified Worship Service ~ 9:30 a.m.

Bible Study: Wednesdays, 11:30 a.m. & 7 p.m.

Radio Ministry: Sunday: 9:30 a.m. {1540 AM}

Happy Birthday

You blessed our lives with so much love.

We miss your warm embrace.

The special way you made us feel can never be replaced. We remember the date that you were born with an honor so sincere, admiring the love that you shared, while wishing you were here.

Love and miss you very much. — Your Family

Good Shepherd Baptist Church 1127 North 28th St., Richmond, VA 23223-6624 • Office: (804) 644-1402 Dr. Sylvester T. Smith, Pastor “There’s A Place for You” Tuesday Sunday 10:30 AM Bible Study 9:30 AM Church School 6:30 PM Church-wide Bible Study 11:00 AM Worship Service 6:30 PM Men's Bible Study (Each 2nd and 4th) (Holy Communion Thursday each 2nd Sunday) Wednesday (Following 2nd Sunday) 6:30 PM Prayer Meeting

22 E. Leigh Street, Richmond, VA 23219 • 643-3825 thesharonbaptistchurch.com Rev. Dr. Paul A. Coles, Pastor

Sunday, March 13, 2016

(age 15 and under)

For further information please contact:

Mrs. Sandra Ausberry and Mrs. Mary DePillars (804) 329-1963

PROVIDENCE PARK BAPTIST CHURCH 468 E. Ladies Mile Road, Richmond, VA 23222 • (804)-329-1963 Dr. Jerome Clayton Ross, Pastor

Presented by The Women of Providence Park Baptist Church

Sixth Baptist Church

Saturday, April 9, 2016 The Place at Innsbrook Call Church for more information (804) 643-3825 Tuesday-Thursday

“MAKE IT HAPPEN” Pastor Kevin Cook

St. Peter Baptist Church

Dr. Kirkland R. Walton, Pastor

Worship Opportunities Sundays: Morning Worship Church School Morning Worship

8 A.M. 9:30 A.M. 11 A.M.

Unity Sundays (2nd Sundays) Church School 8:30 A.M. Morning Worship 10 A.M. Thursdays: Mid-Day Bible Study 12 Noon Prayer & Praise 6:30 P.M. Bible Study 7 P.M. (Children/Youth/Adults) 2040 Mountain Road • Glen Allen, Virginia 23060 Office 804-262-0230 • Fax 804-262-4651 • www.stpeterbaptist.net

Ebenezer Baptist Church Sunday Worship Sunday Church School Service of Holy Communion Service of Baptism Life Application Bible Class Mid-Week Senior Adult Fellowship Wednesday Meditation & Bible Study Homework & Tutoring Scouting Program Thursday Bible Study



11:00 a.m.

9:30 a.m.

Every 3rd Sunday 2nd Sunday, 11 a.m.

Mon. 6:30 p.m.

Tues. 11 a.m. - 1 p.m.

Wed. 7:45 p.m.

Wed. 4:30 p.m.

Wed. 6:00 p.m.

Thurs., 11:45 a.m.

Dr. Levy M. Armwood, Pastor  Dr. Wallace J. Cook, Pastor Emeritus

Theme for 2016: Becoming a Five-Star Church of Excellence With Mission, Growth, Prayer, Purpose, Vision We Are Growing In The Kingdom As We Grow The Kingdom

Youth Day with Word, Worship and Witness Sunday, March 13, 2016 10:40 AM Worship and Praise 11:00 AM Divine Worship Message by: Pastor Sermon Series: Prayer Power #10 A Message For The Teen Scene “The Yokes On You” Matthew 11:29-30

Next Sunday: Young Adult Special Worship Resurrection Sunday Theme For The Day “He’s Got The Whole World In His Hands” Twitter sixthbaptistrva

400 South Addison Street Richmond, Va. 23220

Facebook sixthbaptistrva

(804) 359-1691 or 359-3498 Fax (804) 359-3798 www.sixthbaptistchurch.org

(near Byrd Park)

Thirty-first Street Baptist Church

everence

ing Dr. Morris Henderson, Senior Pastor bin m o ❖ C SUNDAYS Church School 9:30 a.m.

Morning Worship 10:30 a.m.

Mount Olive Baptist Church Rev. Darryl G. Thompson, Pastor

2016 Theme: The Year of Restoration



8775 Mount Olive Avenue Glen Allen, Virginia 23060 (804) 262-9614 Phone (804) 262-2397 Fax www.mobcva.org

Sundays

8:00 a.m.

Early Morning Worship 9:30 a.m.

Sunday School 11:00 a.m.

Morning Worship

Tuesdays

Noon Day Bible Study

Wednesdays

2300 Cool Lane, Richmond, Virginia 23223 804-795-5784 (Armstrong High School Auditorium)

❖

MONDAY-FRIDAY Nutrition Center and Clothes Closet 11:30 a.m.-1:00 p.m.

823 North 31st Street Richmond, VA 23223 (804) 226-0150 Office www.31sbc.org

Sunday Morning Worship 11:00 a.m.

Come Join Us! Reverend Dr. Lester D. Frye Pastor and Founder

… and Listen to our Radio Broadcast Sundays at 10:15 a.m. on WCLM 1450 AM

To empower people of God spiritually, mentally and emotionally for successful living.

Jesus went throughout Galilee teaching in their synagogues, preaching the good news of the kingdom and healing every disease and sickness among the people.

- Matthew 4:23

New Deliverance Evangelistic Church

1701 Turner Road, North Chesterfield, Virginia 23225 (804) 276-0791 office (804)276-5272 fax www.ndec.net

20th NDEC Founders’ & Church Anniversary Banquet

6:30 p.m.

Prayer and Praise 7:00 p.m.

Adult Bible Study

Saturday, March 12, 2016 - 5 P.M.

“Working For You In This Difficult Hour”

k

❖

WEDNESDAYS Bible Study 12:00 p.m. & 7:00 p.m.

8:00 AM - Morning Worship 9:30 AM - Sunday School 11:15 AM - Morning Worship

Pastor and First Lady’s 20th Anniversary Luncheon

216 W. Leigh St. • Richmond, Va. 23220 • Tel: 804-643-3366 Fax: 804-643-3367 • Email: ebcoffice1@comcast.net • web: ebcrichmond.org

$15 per person

11:00 AM Mid-day Meditation

Sharon Baptist Church

“The People’s Church”

(age 16 and up)

ance with Relev

MARCH 12, 1913

1858

Reservations: $20 per person

Rev. Dr. Yvonne Jones Bibbs, Pastor

Willie Mae Lawson

Bishop G. O. Glenn D. Min., Pastor Mother Marcietia S. Glenn First Lady

Sunday 8:00 a.m. Sunday School 9:00 a.m. Worship Service

Wednesday Services

Joseph Jenkins, Jr. Funeral Home, Inc. 2011-2049 Grayland Avenue Richmond, Virginia 23220 (804) 358-9177

k

Joseph Jenkins, Jr., Founder (Dec. 19, 1938 - Dec. 9, 2006) Joseph Jenkins, III. • Jason K. Jenkins • Maxine T. Jenkins

Noonday Bible Study 12noon-1:00 p.m.

Attendance - 43 Sanctuary - All Are Welcome!

Wednesday Evening Bible Study 7 p.m.

Attendance -

Saturday 8:30 a.m. Intercessory Prayer

You can now view Sunday Morning Service “AS IT HAPPENS” online!

Also, for your convenience.

The Omni Richmond Hotel 100 S. 12th St., Richmond, VA 23219 For more information and to purchase your banquet tickets go to:

www.ndec.net

Women With Mission and Purpose Conference 2016!

Thursday, April 14, 2016 through Saturday, April 16, 2016

Theme:

In His Presence - "Striving for Total Wellness" - Mind, Body & Spirit

Breakfast

Saturday, April 16, 2016 9 A.M. - Doubletree Hotel For more information and to register visit

www.ndec.net

Richmond Free Press

March 10-12, 2016

B5

Faith News/Directory A song and a prayer

Musician starts campaign linking prayer and healing

By Joey Matthews

One year after he was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis, James Johnson Jr., the minister of music at Cedar Street Baptist Church of God in the East End, is releasing a song and initiating a national prayer campaign.

Both are called “Agree.”

The 32-year-old Varina resident, husband, father of two and 2015 Stellar Award nominee told the Free Press both ventures are about how prayer has helped him and can help others to agree to expect a miracle when they are going through tough times.

The award-winning songwriter, producer and artist said “Agree” is based on the promise by Jesus in Matthew18:19 in the Bible: “Again, truly I tell you that if two of you on Earth agree about anything they ask for, it will be done for them by my Father in heaven.”

He said the “Agree” campaign will enlist prayer partners to fill people’s requests.

Mr. Johnson talked with the Free Press on Monday, the one-year anniversary of his MS diagnosis, about the connection between prayer and healing. He said he was inspired to write the song in August.

That’s when he saw “how courageously” his cousin, Taleshia Chandler, wife of Cedar Street Pastor Anthony Chandler, was battling breast cancer. She continued to fight even as the cancer metastasized to her bones and liver, he said.

“It was like an instant conviction on me,” Mr. Johnson explained. “I had been so devastated through last spring and summer after learning I had MS. I couldn’t wrap my head around it. It was like self-pity.

“I questioned, ‘Why me?’ ’’ Mr. Johnson, who directs four choirs at Cedar Street and accompanies them on the organ or piano, said he felt “angry.”

“I think you feel like, sometimes, when you serve in church and minister to others that you are immune to some of the things

For details about the “Agree” campaign, to make a prayer request or give testimony, go to Facebook, click on “Pages” and search for “Agree Campaign.”

To purchase the song: www.jamesejohnsonmusic.com.

that others face,” he said. “Now, I was the one being ministered to by others.”

He said after much soul searching and watching his cousin’s determined response to her cancer fight, he realized, “what she was going through was so much more severe.”

“It made me realize, with God’s help, I can handle this and that I had to pick up the bricks around me and move forward.”

He said he spoke with Dr. Chandler and the two agreed to pray and agree for a miracle in both circumstances.

In a Feb. 8 post on the church Facebook page, Dr. Chandler talked about his wife’s illness: “Today, the oncologist who’s been treating her for cancer since August 2015 told us that she has had an OVERWHELMINGLY positive response to chemotherapy.

His exact words “this was the response we were hoping for!”

“We are grateful for all that the Lord has done and we will continue to agree for her complete and total healing,” Mr. Johnson said Monday.

As for his own health, Mr. Johnson said he was diagnosed with the most common form of MS known as relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis.

MS is an autoimmune disease that causes inflammation of the insulating membranes surrounding nerves within the central nervous system. Symptoms range from numbness and tingling to blindness and paralysis.

Mr. Johnson said he was diagnosed and sought treatment after experiencing fatigue and partial blindness in his left eye. His diagnosis came three weeks before he attended the Stellar Awards on March 28, 2015. He was nominated in six categories,

but did not win, for the gospel song he co-wrote titled “You Alone.”

The Free Press chronicled his journey to the prestigious gospel music awards show in the March 26-28, 2015, edition.

The vision problem has since resolved itself, but there are flare-ups, Mr. Johnson said. He recalled a debilitating flare-up in November that left him bedridden, temporarily paralyzed on his left side and unable to fully function for more than two weeks.

Mr. Johnson attended the Stellar Awards ceremony again last month in Las Vegas.

While he was not nominated for an award this year, he had the opportunity to network with fellow artists during the event.

He decided to organize the “Agree” campaign after he was approached with the idea by Pastor Juliette Davis of Destiny Empowerment Ministries in Chesterfield County.

“I had preached a sermon about the power of agreement to our congregation,” Pastor Davis said. “That night, I was so excited and I felt God was telling me to tell (Mr. Johnson) about my idea for the agreement campaign. I called him the next morning.”

Mr. Johnson said he eagerly agreed to lead the campaign for prayer and healing with the full backing of Mrs. Chandler.

“There is power in agreement, in being able to connect with someone you may not even know and having enough faith spiritually that you can believe together in the miraculous — through faith, persistence and belief,” he said.

“I believe this campaign can lead to great things.”

Grace Evangelistic Ministries Church 7643 Hull Street Road (Off Pocoshock Blvd)

North Chesterfield, VA 23236 (804) 833-9493 or (804) 585-9186

Elder Maricia S. Hayes, Pastor WELCOME TO “THE UPPER ROOM” Morning Worship Service: 10:00 a.m.

(1st, 2nd, 4th and 5th Sundays) Sanctuary Prayer: 9:45 am 3RD SATURDAY EVENING Worship Service: 5:00 pm Ministering Encouragement and Hope WEDNESDAY “HOUR OF POWER” Bible Study: 12:00 pm – 1:00 pm 2ND & 4TH SATURDAY MORNING Prayer Meeting: 8 am – 9 am

BBaptist aptistM Ministers inistersC ConferenCe onferenCe o offrriChMond iChMond& &VViCinity iCinityppresents resents

METRO METRO

March 14-17

2016

Cedar CedarStreet StreetBaptist BaptistChurch ChurchofofGod God 2301 CEDAR STREET | RICHMOND, VA 23223 2301 2301 CEDAR CEDAR STREET STREET || RICHMOND, RICHMOND, VA 23223

CONFERENCE DETAILS: CONFERENCE CONFERENCE DETAILS: DETAILS:

Nightly prayer and praise Nightly Nightly prayer prayer and and praise praise with special prayer with with with special special prayer prayer with with Deacon and Deaconess Deacon Deacon and and Deaconess Deaconess conference 6:00 p.m to conference 6:00 6:00 p.m p.m to to conference 6:30 p.m. in in Sanctuary 6:30 p.m.

Sanctuary 6:30 p.m. in Sanctuary Praise Teams and Praise Praise Teams and Praise Praise Teams and Praise Leaders from 6:30 p.m.

Leaders from from 6:30 6:30 p.m.

Leaders p.m. to to 7:00 p.m.

7:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.

Mass choirs from Mass choirs from Mass choirs from different parts of of thethe different parts parts different of the citycity and surrounding and surrounding surrounding city and counties each night. counties each night. counties each night.

GUEST SPEAKER: MAR 14-15 GUEST SPEAKER: MAR 14-15 GUEST MONDAY & TUESDAY MONDAY & TUESDAY MONDAY

Rev. Dr. Susie Owens Rev. Dr. Susie Owens

Co-Pastor of Greater Mt. Calvary Holy Co-Pastor of of Greater Greater Mt. Calvary Holy Co-Pastor Church, a progressive, inner-city Church, aa progressive, progressive, inner-city Church, church with an adult membership of church with with an an adult membership of church more than 7,000 and the International more than than 7,000 7,000 and the International more First Lady of Mt. Calvary Holy Church First Lady Lady of of Mt. Mt. Calvary Holy Church First of America of America America of

GUEST SPEAKER: MAR 16-17 GUEST SPEAKER: MAR 16-17 WEDNESDAY & THURSDAY WEDNESDAY & THURSDAY

Rev. Dr. J. Louis Felton Rev. Dr. J. Louis Felton

DR. J. LOUIS FELTON is the Pastor DR. J. LOUIS FELTON is the Pastor and Servant Leader of The Mount Airy and Servant Leader of The Mount Airy Church of God in Christ in Church of God in Christ in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Mount Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Mount Airy Church is an active ministry with Airy Church is an active ministry with outreach through television, radio, a outreach through television, radio, a Family Shelter, and a Christian Day Family Shelter, and a Christian Day School.

School.

“You “Youdodonot notwant wanttotomiss missthese thesegreat great speakers speakersand andworship worshipexperience.” experience.”

reV d arlon haskell, BMCrV president eV r.eV . rd.rrM .M arlon haskell, BMCrV president Chicago Avenue Baptist Church • Richmond, Virginia Chicago Avenue Avenue Baptist Baptist Church Church •• Richmond, Richmond, Virginia Virginia Chicago

Sandra Sellars/Richmond Free Press

James Johnson Jr., minister of music at Cedar Street Baptist Church of God, is launching the “Agree” campaign a year after being diagnosed with multiple sclerosis.

Riverview Baptist Church

2604 Idlewood Avenue, Richmond, Va. 23220 • (804) 353-6135 www.riverviewbaptistch.org Rev. Dr. Stephen L. Hewlett, Pastor • Rev. Dr. Ralph Reavis, Sr. Pastor Emeritus

Sunday, March 13, 2016 Children’s Church - 11:00 AM

Women’s Week 2016 Theme “Faithful Women Working for the Kingdom of God” Luke 1:46-48

Wednesday, March 16, 2016 7:00 PM - An evening with Dr. Paulette Walker Johnson Talk show host & author of Real Women...Real Talk

B6 March 10-12, 2016

Richmond Free Press

Legal Notices City of Richmond, Virginia CITY COUNCIL PUBLIC NOTICE Notice is hereby given that the Council of the City of Richmond has scheduled a public hearing, open to all interested citizens, on Monday, March 14, 2016 at 6:00 p.m. in the Council Chamber on the Second Floor of City Hall, located at 900 East Broad Street, Richmond, Virginia, to consider the following ordinance: Ordinance No. 2016-078 To authorize the Chief Administrative Officer to accept a gift, valued at approximately $50,830, from the Carillon Civic Association of playground equipment and installation labor for the purpose of replacing existing playground equipment of the Department of Parks, Recreation and Community Facilities located near the Carillon on the grounds of William Byrd Park at 600 South Boulevard.

Interested citizens who wish to speak will be given an opportunity to do so.

Copies of the full text of all ordinances are available by visiting the City Clerk’s page on the City’s Website at www.Richmondgov. com and in the Office of the City Clerk, City Hall, 900 East Broad Street, Suite 200, Richmond, VA 23219, from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Monday through Friday.

Jean V. Capel City Clerk City of Richmond, Virginia CITY COUNCIL PUBLIC NOTICE Notice is hereby given that the Council of the City of Richmond has scheduled a public hearing, open to all interested citizens, on Monday, April 11, 2016 at 6:00 p.m. in the Council Chamber on the Second Floor of City Hall, located at 900 East Broad Street, Richmond, Virginia, to consider the following ordinances: Ordinance No. 2016-046 To amend and reordain the fees set forth in Appendix A of the City Code for section 27-245(a), concerning mandatory charges for using meters for on-street and off-street parking spaces, for the purpose of increasing on-street parking meter charges.

Ordinance No. 2016-047 To adopt the Department of Public Works’ Parking Enterprise Fund Budget for Fiscal Year 20162017; and to appropriate the estimated receipts of the Department of Public Works’ Parking Enterprise Fund for the said fiscal year for the operation and management of parking facilities.

Ordinance No. 2016-048 To adopt the Special Fund Budgets for the fiscal year commencing Jul. 1, 2016, and ending Jun. 30, 2017, and to appropriate the estimated receipts of the Special Revenue funds for the said fiscal year.

Ordinance No. 2016-049 To repeal ch. 10, art. III of the City Code, consisting of sections 10-48 through 10-52, and concerning fire and burglar alarm systems; to amend and reordain ch. 10 of the City Code by adding therein a new art. III, consisting of sections 10-48 through 10-55, concerning burglar alarms, for the purpose of implementing a procedure to issue alarm permits and assess charges for excessive false alarms; and to amend Appendix A of the City Code by repealing the fees set forth therein for section 10-51 and adding new fees for sections 10-52, concerning permits, and 10-53, concerning false alarms.

Ordinance No. 2016-050 To amend City Code §12-120, concerning rates and discounts for parking facilities operated by the City, to impose a penalty for late payments, and to amend the fees set forth in Appendix A of the City Code for sections 12-120(a)(1), 12120(a)(2), 12-120(a)(3), 12-120(a)(4), 12-120(a) (5), 12-120(a)(6), 12120(a)(7), 12-120(a)(8), 12-120(a)(9), 12-120(a) (11), 12-120(a)(13), 12120(a)(14), 12-120(a) (17), 12-120(a)(21) and 12-120(a)(22) of the City Code, concerning rates and discounts for parking facilities operated by the City.

Continued from previous column

expenditures from the Debt Service Fund for the said fiscal year.

Ordinance No. 2016-053 To adopt the General Fund Budget for the fiscal year commencing Jul. 1, 2016, and ending Jun. 30, 2017; and to appropriate the estimated revenues for such fiscal year for the objects and purposes stated in the said budget.

Ordinance No. 2016-054 To amend and reordain the fees set forth in Appendix A of the City Code for sections 26-873(a), 26-874(b), 26-931(a), 26932, 26-933(a), 26-940(a), 26-941(a), 26-941(b), 26942(a), 26-948(d), 26-951, 26-952(a), 26-953, 26-954, 26-955(a), 26-956(a), 26957, 26-958, 26-960(a), 26-961, 26-964, 26-967(a), 26-969, 26-970, 26-971, 26-972(a), 26-972(j), 26973, 26-974, 26-980(c), 26-989(b), 26-990(a), 26990(b), 26-991(a), 26992(a), 26-993, 26-994(a), 26-995, 26-996, 26-998, 26-1000, 26-1001(a), 26-1001(b), 26-1002(a), 26-1003, 26-1006(a), 261007(a), 26-1007(b), 261007(c), and 26-1008(a) concerning license fees to increase the license fee for certain licenses from $30.00 to $50.00.

Ordinance No. 2016-055 To amend City Code §§ 26-977 (concerning vehicle license fees for motor vehicles) and 26978 (concerning vehicle license fees for motorcycles) for the purpose of providing that such license fees shall be equal to the equivalent fee imposed by Va. Code § 46.2-694, and to amend Appendix A of the City Code by repealing the fees set forth therein for City Code §§ 26-977 and 26-978.

Ordinance No. 2016-056 To amend City Code §§ 26-984 and 26-986, concerning license taxes for peddlers of crabs and for hawkers and hucksters, respectively, for the purpose of increasing the license tax for peddlers of crabs and for hawkers and hucksters from $225.00 to $300.00.

Ordinance No. 2016-057 To appropriate and to provide funds for financing the school budget for the fiscal year commencing Jul. 1, 2016, and ending Jun. 30, 2017.

Ordinance No. 2016-058 To accept a program of proposed Capital Improvement Projects for the fiscal year beginning Jul. 1, 2016, and for the four fiscal years thereafter; to adopt a Capital Budget for the fiscal year beginning Jul. 1, 2016; and to determine the means of financing the same.

Ordinance No. 2016-059 To adopt the Department of Parks, Recreation and Community Facilities’ Richmond Cemeteries Budget for the fiscal year commencing Jul. 1, 2016, and ending Jun. 30, 2017; to appropriate the estimated receipts of the Richmond Cemeteries for the said fiscal year for the operation and management of the facilities.

Ordinance No. 2016-060 To adopt the Internal Service Fund Budgets for the fiscal year commencing Jul. 1, 2016, and ending Jun. 30, 2017, and to appropriate the estimated receipts of the Internal Service funds for the said fiscal year.

Ordinance No. 2016-061 To authorize the issuance of general obligation equipment notes of the City of Richmond in the maximum principal amount of $5,500,000 to finance the cost of equipment for the following purposes and uses: acquisition of equipment and vehicles for the stormwater utility of the City; to authorize the Director of Finance, with the approval of the Chief Administrative Officer, for and on behalf of the City, to sell equipment notes to finance the acquisition of such equipment; and to authorize the issuance of taxable notes, for the same purposes and uses, in the same maximum principal amount and payable over the same period as such general obligation equipment notes.

Ordinance No. 2016-052 To adopt the Debt Service Fund Budget for the fiscal year commencing Jul. 1, 2016, and ending Jun. 30, 2017, and to appropriate the estimated

Ordinance No. 2016-062 To authorize the issuance of public utility revenue bonds of the City of Richmond in the maximum principal amount of $110,676,000 to finance the cost of capital improvement projects of the gas, water and wastewater utilities and public utilities buildings and facilities for the following purposes and uses: enlargement, extension, repair, replacement, improvement and equipping of the gas plant and transmission lines; enlargement, extension, repair, replacement, improvement and equipping of the waterworks plant and transmission lines; enlargement, extension, repair, replacement, improvement and equipping of the wastewater plant and intercepting lines; construction, reconstruction, repair, replacement, and improvement of

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Ordinance No. 2016-051 To amend and reordain the fees set forth in Appendix A of the City Code for section 23-42 (concerning fees for solid waste) of the City Code, effective as of the date of rendering bills for Cycle I in July, 2016, to establish revised charges for such services.

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sanitary and storm water sewers, pumping stations, drains and culverts; construction, reconstruction, repair, replacement, improvement and equipping of public utility buildings and facilities therefor, including but not limited to the stores division; and acquisition of real property and real property rights (including without limitation easements and rights-of-way) therefor as appropriate; to authorize the Director of Finance, with the approval of the Chief Administrative Officer, for and on behalf of the City, to sell such bonds for such capital improvement projects; to provide for the form, details and payment of such bonds; to approve the form of supplemental indenture of trust; to authorize the issuance of notes of the City in anticipation of the issuance of such bonds; and to authorize the issuance of taxable bonds, for the same purposes and uses, in the same maximum principal amount and payable over the same period as such public utility revenue bonds.

Ordinance No. 2016-063 To authorize the issuance of general obligation public improvement bonds of the City of Richmond in the maximum principal amount of $62,500,000 to finance the cost of school projects and general capital improvement projects of the City for the following purposes and uses: construction, reconstruction, improvements and equipment for public schools; construction, reconstruction, improvement and equipment for various infrastructure needs, including traffic control facilities, streets, sidewalks and other public ways, bridges, storm sewers, drains and culverts, and refuse disposal facilities; participation in redevelopment, conservation and community development programs, including the construction, reconstruction, improvement and equipment for targeted public facilities included in these programs; construction, reconstruction, improvements and equipment for public institutional, operational, cultural, educational and entertainment buildings and facilities, including but not limited to the theaters, parks, playgrounds, cemeteries, libraries and museums; acquisition of real property therefor as appropriate; and the making of appropriations to the City’s Economic Development Authority (“EDA”) to be used by the EDA to finance capital expenditures or to make loans or grants to finance capital expenditures for the purposes of promoting economic development; to authorize the Director of Finance, with the approval of the Chief Administrative Officer, for and on behalf of the City, to sell such bonds for such capital improvement projects, to provide for the form, details and payment of such bonds; to authorize the issuance of notes of the City in anticipation of the issuance of such bonds; and to authorize the issuance of taxable bonds, for the same purposes and uses, in the same maximum principal amount and payable over the same period as such general obligation public improvement bonds.

Ordinance No. 2016-064 To cancel all authorized but unissued notes authorized by the City of Richmond in Fiscal Year 20142015, to authorize the issuance of general obligation equipment notes of the City of Richmond in the maximum principal amount of $5,000,000 to finance the cost of equipment for the following purposes and uses: acquisition of computer, radio, office, solid waste collection, office furniture and miscellaneous equipment and vehicles for the various departments, bureaus and agencies of the City, and equipment for City schools; and to authorize the Director of Finance, with the approval of the Chief Administrative Officer, for and on behalf of the City, to sell equipment notes to finance the acquisition of such equipment, and to authorize the issuance of taxable notes, for the same purposes and uses, in the same maximum principal amount and payable over the same period as such general obligation equipment notes.

Ordinance No. 2016-065 To amend section 12A of Article III of Ord. No. 93-117-159, adopted May 24, 1993, concerning salary supplements for the Commonwealth Attorney’s Office, to provide the Commonwealth Attorney with a salary supplement of $46,768 and a contribution to the Virginia Retirement System on his behalf of $9,713 and to provide the Commonwealth Attorney’s Office with $783,169 for salary supplements and $185,229 for a contribution to the Virginia Retirement System for Continued on next column

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members of the office for Fiscal Year 2016-2017.

Ordinance No. 2016-066 To amend section 12B of Article III of Ord. No. 93-117-159, adopted May 24, 1993, concerning salary supplements for the Sheriff’s Office, to provide the Sheriff with a salary supplement of $23,069 and the Sheriff’s Office with $2,897,868 for salary supplements for members of the office for Fiscal Year 2016-2017.

Ordinance No. 2016-067 To amend and reordain the fees set forth in Appendix A of the City Code for section 23-42(b) (concerning charges for recycling by the City) to increase the charges for recycling by the City.

Ordinance No. 2016-068 To amend and reordain sections 3 and 25 of Article III of Ordinance No. 93-117-159, adopted May 24, 1993, to suspend the Educational Incentive Program for certain Police and Fire Officers for Fiscal Year 2016-2017.

Ordinance No. 2016-069 To amend and reordain certain fees set forth in Appendix A of the City Code for sections 28650 (concerning fees for residential wastewater service), 28-651 (concerning fees for commercial wastewater service), 28-652 (concerning fees for industrial wastewater service), 28-653 (concerning fees for state and federal wastewater service), 28-654 (concerning fees for municipal wastewater service) and 28-799 (concerning fees for discharge of hauled materials into designated septage receiving stations by contractors) of the City Code, effective as of the date of rendering bills for Cycle I in July, 2016, to establish revised charges for such services.

Ordinance No. 2016-070 To amend and reordain the fees set forth in Appendix A of the City Code for sections 28-326 (concerning fees for residential water service), 28-327 (concerning fees for commercial water service), 28328 (concerning fees for industrial water service), 28-329 (concerning fees for municipal water service), 28-330 (concerning fees for state and federal water service), 28-458 (concerning fees for water for fire protection) and 28-549 (concerning fees for water use during conservation periods) of the City Code, effective as of the date of rendering bills for Cycle I in July, 2016, to establish revised charges for such services.

Ordinance No. 2016-071 To amend and reordain the fees set forth in Appendix A of the City Code for sections 28-191(2) and 28-191(3) (concerning fees for residential gas service), 28-192(2) (concerning fees for residential gas peaking service), 28193(2) (concerning fees for general gas service), 28-195(f) and 28-196(f) (concerning fees for transportation service), 28198(2) (concerning fees for municipal gas service), 28-202(c) (concerning fees for large volume gas sales service), and 28-203(c) (concerning fees for large volume, high load factor, gas sales service) of the City Code, effective as of the date of rendering bills for Cycle I in July 2016, to establish revised charges for such services.

Ordinance No. 2016-072 To adopt the Water Utility Budget for the fiscal year commencing Jul. 1, 2016, and ending Jun. 30, 2017; to appropriate the estimated receipts of the Water Utility for the said fiscal year; and to make appropriations from the Water Utility Renewal Fund or Operating Fund for renewing, rebuilding or extending the plant and distribution system of the Water Utility and for the purchase of vehicles.

Ordinance No. 2016-073 To adopt the Department of Public Utilities’ Stores Internal Service Fund Budgets for the fiscal year commencing Jul. 1, 2016, and ending Jun. 30, 2017; and to appropriate the estimated receipts of the Department of Public Utilities’ Stores Internal Service Funds for the said fiscal year.

Ordinance No. 2016-074 To adopt the Gas Utility Budget for the fiscal year commencing Jul. 1, 2016, and ending Jun. 30, 2017; to appropriate the estimated receipts of the Gas Utility for the said fiscal year; and to make appropriations from the Gas Utility Renewal Fund or Operating Fund for renewing, rebuilding or extending the plant and distribution system of the Gas Utility and for the purchase of vehicles.

Ordinance No. 2016-075 To adopt the Wastewater Utility Budget for the fiscal year commencing Jul. 1, 2016, and ending Jun. 30, 2017; to appropriate the estimated receipts of the Wastewater Utility for the said fiscal year; and to make appropriations Continued on next column

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from the Wastewater Utility Renewal Fund or Operating Fund for renewing, rebuilding or extending the plant and distribution system of the Wastewater Utility and for the purchase of vehicles.

Ordinance No. 2016-076 To adopt the Stormwater Utility Budget for the fiscal year commencing Jul. 1, 2016, and ending Jun. 30, 2017; to appropriate the estimated receipts of the Stormwater Utility for the said fiscal year; and to make appropriations from the Stormwater Utility Renewal Fund or Operating Fund for renewing, rebuilding or extending the plant and distribution system of the stormwater utility and for the purchase of vehicles.

Ordinance No. 2016-077 To adopt the Electric Utility Budget for the fiscal year commencing Jul. 1, 2016, and ending Jun. 30, 2017; to appropriate the estimated receipts of the Electric Utility for the said fiscal year; and to make appropriations from the Electric Utility Renewal Fund or Operating Fund for renewing, rebuilding or extending the plant and distribution system of the Electric Utility and for the purchase of vehicles.

Interested citizens who wish to speak will be given an opportunity to do so.

Copies of the full text of all ordinances are available by visiting the City Clerk’s page on the City’s Website at www.Richmondgov. com and in the Office of the City Clerk, City Hall, 900 East Broad Street, Suite 200, Richmond, VA 23219, from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Monday through Friday.

Jean V. Capel City Clerk City of Richmond, Virginia CITY COUNCIL PUBLIC NOTICE Notice is hereby given that the City of Richmond Planning Commission has scheduled a public hearing, open to all interested citizens, on Monday, March 21, 2016 at 1:30 p.m. in the Fifth Floor Conference Room of City Hall and the Council of the City of Richmond has scheduled a public hearing on Monday, March 28, 2016 at 6:00 p.m. in the Council Chamber on the Second Floor of City Hall, located at 900 East Broad Street, Richmond, Virginia, to consider the following ordinance: Ordinance No. 2016-039 To authorize the special use of the property known as 3303 Lawson Street for the purpose of permitting up to four single-family detached dwellings, together with associated improvements, including a parking area, upon certain terms and conditions. The Richmond Master Plan designates this property as Single-Family (low density) in the Old South Planning District. “Primary uses are single-family detached dwellings at densities up to seven units per acre. Includes residential support uses such as schools, places of worship, neighborhood parks and recreation facilities, and limited public and semi-public uses. Typical zoning classifications that may accommodate this land use category are R-1, R-2, R-3, R-4, and R-5” (p.133).

Ordinance No. 2016-040 To authorize the special use of the property known as 3210 Chamberlayne Avenue for the purpose of permitting offices and artist studios, upon certain terms and conditions.

The property is located in the North Planning District as defined by the 2000-2020 city-wide Master Plan, which recommends “Single-Family (Low-Density)” uses for the property. Primary uses for the Single-Family designation are, “singlefamily detached dwellings at densities up to seven units per acre” (p. 133).

The Plan further states, “The Chamberlayne Avenue corridor north of Brookland Park Boulevard should continue to be primarily residential, with single and multi-family residential use and limited institutional uses…

The Land Use Plan map identifies single-family low-density residential use for areas along Chamberlayne Avenue north of Brookland Park Boulevard where this is intended to be the predominant but not exclusive use (p. 257).”

Ordinance No. 2016-041 To authorize the special use of the property known as 1608 West Cary Street for the purpose of permitting a two-family attached dwelling unit and accessory parking, upon certain terms and conditions. The Richmond Master Plan designates this property as Single-Family (medium density) in the Near West Planning District. “Primary uses are single-family and two-family dwellings, both detached and attached, Continued on next column

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at densities of 8 to 20 units per acre. Includes residential support uses such as schools, places of worship, neighborhood parks and recreation facilities, and limited public and semi-public uses. Typical zoning classifications that may accommodate this land use category are R-43 and R-48” (133).

Ordinance No. 2016-042 To authorize the special use of the properties known as 501 and 503 Maple Avenue for the purpose of permitting up to four single-family detached dwellings, together with associated improvements, including a private street, upon certain terms and conditions. The Master Plan recommends Single-Family “Low Density” for the subject properties. Single-family is defined as, “Primary use is single-family detached dwellings at densities up to seven units per acre (p. 133).”

Ordinance No. 2016-043 To authorize the special use of the properties known as 1401 West Leigh Street, 1405 West Leigh Street, and 1400 Catherine Street for the purpose of permitting up to 11 dwelling units, upon certain terms and conditions. The City of Richmond’s Master Plan recommends Single family (Medium Density) land uses for the property.

The Master Plan defines the primary uses for this category as single-family and two-family detached and attached dwellings at densities of 8 to 20 units per acre, and includes residential support uses such as schools, places of worship, and neighborhood parks, among others. The proposed special use permit would allow a residential density of approximately 28 units per acre.

Ordinance No. 2016-044 To rezone the property known as 2201 East Franklin Street from the M-1 Light Industrial District to the B-5 Central Business District. The subject property falls within an Urban Center Area of the Shockoe District, as established by the Richmond Downtown Plan. Such areas are characterized by higher density, mixed-use development, typically arranged on a fine-grained street network, with wide sidewalks, regular tree planting, and minimal setbacks. No residential density is specified for the Urban Center Area.

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8460 Mount Eagle Road Ashland, VA 23005 (804) 798-9667 VIRGINIA: IN THE CIRCUIT COURT FOR THE COUNTY OF HANOVER ROBIN BARBER, Plaintiff v.

LEON BARBER, Defendant.

Case No.: CL16000626-00 ORDER OF PUBLICATION

The object of this suit is to obtain a divorce from the bond of matrimony from the defendant on the ground of living separate and apart without any cohabitation and without interruption for a period exceeding twelve months.

It is ORDERED that the defendant, whose whereabouts are unknown, appear here on or before the 20th day of April, 2016 at 9:00 a.m. and protect his interests.

A Copy, Teste: FRANK D. HARGROVE, JR., Clerk I ask for this: Dorothy M. Eure Counsel for Plaintiff VSB# 27724 8460 Mount Eagle Road Ashland, VA 23005 (804) 798-9667 VIRGINIA: IN THE CIRCUIT COURT FOR THE COUNTY OF HANOVER DIVONYA ROBINSON, Plaintiff v.

CLIFTON ROBINSON, Defendant.

Case No.: CL15000282-00 ORDER OF PUBLICATION

The object of this suit is to obtain a divorce from the bond of matrimony from the defendant on the ground of living separate and apart without any cohabitation and without interruption for a period exceeding twelve months.

It is ORDERED that the defendant, whose whereabouts are unknown, appear here on or before the 20th day of April, 2016 at 9:00 a.m. and protect his interests.

A Copy, Teste: FRANK D. HARGROVE, JR., Clerk I ask for this: Dorothy M. Eure Counsel for Plaintiff VSB# 27724 8460 Mount Eagle Road Ashland, VA 23005 (804) 798-9667

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Ashland, VA 23005 (804) 798-9667 VIRGINIA: IN THE CIRCUIT COURT FOR THE COUNTY OF HANOVER WAVERLY FERRELL, Plaintiff v.

LEVONE FERRELL, Defendant.

Case No.: CL16000428-00 ORDER OF PUBLICATION

The object of this suit is to obtain a divorce from the bond of matrimony from the defendant on the ground of living separate and apart without any cohabitation and without interruption for a period exceeding twelve months.

It is ORDERED that the defendant, whose whereabouts are unknown, appear here on or before the 26th day of April, 2016 at 9:00 a.m. and protect her interests.

A Copy, Teste: FRANK D. HARGROVE, JR., Clerk I ask for this: Dorothy M. Eure Counsel for Plaintiff VSB# 27724 8460 Mount Eagle Road Ashland, VA 23005 (804) 798-9667 VIRGINIA: IN THE CIRCUIT COURT FOR THE COUNTY OF HANOVER ANTHONY EDMONDS, Plaintiff v.

JESSICA EDMONDS, Defendant.

Case No.: CL14000695-00 ORDER OF PUBLICATION

The object of this suit is to obtain a divorce from the bond of matrimony from the defendant on the ground of living separate and apart without any cohabitation and without interruption for a period exceeding twelve months.

It is ORDERED that the defendant, whose whereabouts are unknown, appear here on or before the 20th day of April, 2016 at 9:00 a.m. and protect her interests.

A Copy, Teste: FRANK D. HARGROVE, JR., Clerk I ask for this: Dorothy M. Eure Counsel for Plaintiff VSB# 27724 8460 Mount Eagle Road Ashland, VA 23005 (804) 798-9667

VIRGINIA: IN THE CIRCUIT COURT FOR THE COUNTY OF HANOVER RODJALYN PENDERGRASS-DAVIS, Plaintiff v.

REGINALD DAVIS, Defendant.

Case No.: CL16000554-00 ORDER OF PUBLICATION

The object of this suit is to obtain a divorce from the bond of matrimony from the defendant on the ground of living separate and apart without any cohabitation and without interruption for a period exceeding twelve months.

It is ORDERED that the defendant, whose whereabouts are unknown, appear here on or before the 20th day of April, 2016 at 9:00 a.m. and protect his interests.

A Copy, Teste: FRANK D. HARGROVE, JR., Clerk I ask for this: Dorothy M. Eure Counsel for Plaintiff VSB# 27724 8460 Mount Eagle Road Ashland, VA 23005 (804) 798-9667

VIRGINIA: IN THE CIRCUIT COURT FOR THE COUNTY OF HANOVER MARISHA HICKS, Plaintiff v.

ROBERT HICKS, JR., Defendant.

Case No.: CL16000628-00 ORDER OF PUBLICATION

The object of this suit is to obtain a divorce from the bond of matrimony from the defendant on the ground of living separate and apart without any cohabitation and without interruption for a period exceeding twelve months.

It is ORDERED that the defendant, whose whereabouts are unknown, appear here on or before the 20th day of April, 2016 at 9:00 a.m. and protect his interests.

A Copy, Teste: FRANK D. HARGROVE, JR., Clerk I ask for this: Dorothy M. Eure Counsel for Plaintiff VSB# 27724 8460 Mount Eagle Road Ashland, VA 23005 (804) 798-9667

VIRGINIA: IN THE CIRCUIT COURT FOR THE COUNTY OF HANOVER CHESTER ROBINSON, Plaintiff v.

SHANA ROBINSON, Defendant.

Case No.: CL15002628-00 ORDER OF PUBLICATION

The object of this suit is to obtain a divorce from the bond of matrimony from the defendant on the ground of living separate and apart without any cohabitation and without interruption for a period exceeding twelve months.

It is ORDERED that the defendant, who has been served with the Complaint by posted service appear here on or before the 14th day of April, 2016 at 9:00 a.m. and protect her interests.

A Copy, Teste: FRANK D. HARGROVE, JR., Clerk I ask for this: Dorothy M. Eure Counsel for Plaintiff VSB# 27724 8460 Mount Eagle Road Ashland, VA 23005 (804) 798-9667

VIRGINIA: IN THE CIRCUIT COURT FOR THE COUNTY OF HANOVER ZERITA NEWMAN, Plaintiff v.

BRIAN NEWMAN, Defendant.

Case No.: CL16000622-00 ORDER OF PUBLICATION

The object of this suit is to obtain a divorce from the bond of matrimony from the defendant on the ground of living separate and apart without any cohabitation and without interruption for a period exceeding twelve months.

It is ORDERED that the defendant, whose whereabouts are unknown, appear here on or before the 20th day of April, 2016 at 9:00 a.m. and protect his interests.

A Copy, Teste: FRANK D. HARGROVE, JR., Clerk I ask for this: Dorothy M. Eure Counsel for Plaintiff VSB# 27724 8460 Mount Eagle Road Ashland, VA 23005 (804) 798-9667

VIRGINIA: IN THE CIRCUIT COURT FOR THE COUNTY OF HANOVER LaVONDA WHITE, Plaintiff v.

JERMAINE HARRIS, Defendant.

Case No.: CL16000553-00 ORDER OF PUBLICATION

The object of this suit is to obtain a divorce from the bond of matrimony from the defendant on the ground of living separate and apart without any cohabitation and without interruption for a period exceeding twelve months.

It is ORDERED that the defendant, whose whereabouts are unknown, appear here on or before the 14th day of April, 2016 at 9:00 a.m. and protect his interests.

A Copy, Teste: FRANK D. HARGROVE, JR., Clerk I ask for this: Dorothy M. Eure Counsel for Plaintiff VSB# 27724 8460 Mount Eagle Road Ashland, VA 23005 (804) 798-9667

VIRGINIA: IN THE CIRCUIT COURT FOR THE COUNTY OF HANOVER ABDUL JOSEPH KOOMSON, Plaintiff v.

SANDRA BOONE, Defendant.

Case No.: CL16000627-00 ORDER OF PUBLICATION

The object of this suit is to obtain a divorce from the bond of matrimony from the defendant on the ground of living separate and apart without any cohabitation and without interruption for a period exceeding twelve months.

It is ORDERED that the defendant, whose whereabouts are unknown, appear here on or before the 20th day of April, 2016 at 9:00 a.m. and protect her interests.

A Copy, Teste: FRANK D. HARGROVE, JR., Clerk I ask for this: Dorothy M. Eure Counsel for Plaintiff VSB# 27724

VIRGINIA: IN THE CIRCUIT COURT FOR THE COUNTY OF HANOVER PATRICIA GRAHAM, Plaintiff v.

DAMIAN WILLIAMSON, Defendant.

Case No.: CL16000549-00 ORDER OF PUBLICATION

The object of this suit is to obtain a divorce from the bond of matrimony from the defendant on the ground of living separate and apart without any cohabitation and without interruption for a period exceeding twelve months.

It is ORDERED that the defendant, whose whereabouts are unknown, appear here on or before the 20th day of April, 2016 at 9:00 a.m. and protect his interests.

A Copy, Teste: FRANK D. HARGROVE, JR., Clerk I ask for this: Dorothy M. Eure Counsel for Plaintiff VSB# 27724 8460 Mount Eagle Road

virgiNia: iN thE JuvENiLE aND DOmEstic rELatiONs District cOurt Of thE city Of richmOND Commonwealth of Virginia, in re COLBY WILLIAM LANE, Juvenile Case No. JJ078169-09, JJ078169-10 The object of this suit is to: Terminate the residual parental rights (“RPR”) of Gerald Scott, (Father), Unknown, (Father), of Colby William Lane, child, DOB 07/16/2002, “RPR” means all rights and responsibilities remaining with parent after transfer of legal custody or guardianship of the person, including but not limited to rights of: visitation; adoption consent; determination of religious affiliation; and responsibility for support.

It is ORDERED that the defendant Gerald Scott (Father), Unknown, (Father,) appear at the above-named Court and protect his interest on or before May 24, 2016 at

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Interested citizens who wish to speak will be given an opportunity to do so.

Copies of the full text of all ordinances are available by visiting the City Clerk’s page on the City’s Website at www.Richmondgov. com and in the Office of the City Clerk, City Hall, 900 East Broad Street, Suite 200, Richmond, VA 23219, from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Monday through Friday.

Jean V. Capel City Clerk

Divorce

CUSTODY

Richmond Free Press

March 10-12, 2016

B7

Legal Notices/ Employment Opportunities Continued from previous page

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2:00 p.m. Court Room #1.

Matthew Morris, Esq. 730 E. Broad St., 8th Floor Richmond, Virginia 23219 804-646-3493

upgrading HVAC System.

Due 2:00 pm, May 3, 2016. Additional information available at: http://henrico.us/ purchasing/.

virgiNia: iN thE JuvENiLE aND DOmEstic rELatiONs District cOurt Of thE city Of richmOND Commonwealth of Virginia, in re Kelsie Alvis, Juvenile Case No. JJ085689-07, JJ085689-08 The object of this suit is to: Terminate the residual parental rights (“RPR”) of Jesse Alvis, (Father), Unknown, (Father), of Kelsie Alvis, child, DOB 01/30/2007, “RPR” means all rights and responsibilities remaining with parent after transfer of legal custody or guardianship of the person, including but not limited to rights of: visitation; adoption consent; determination of religious affiliation; and responsibility for support.

It is ORDERED that the defendant Jesse Alvis (Father), Unknown, (Father,) appear at the above-named Court and protect his interest on or before May 24, 2016 at 2:00 p.m. Court Room #1.

Matthew Morris, Esq. 730 E. Broad St., 8th Floor Richmond, Virginia 23219 804-646-3493

COUNTY OF HENRICO, VIRGINIA HENRICO COUNTY PUBLIC SCHOOLS CONSTRUCTION BID IFB# 16-1150-2JK

Highland Springs T.C., Tuckahoe E.S., Holladay E.S, Donahoe E.S., Glen Allen E.S., and Chamberlayne E.S. HVAC Replacements

Due 2:30 pm, March 31, 2016

Additional information available at: http://www. henrico.us/departments/ purchasing/bids-andproposals/

virgiNia: iN thE JuvENiLE aND DOmEstic rELatiONs District cOurt Of thE city Of richmOND Commonwealth of Virginia, in re KEITH O’NEIL BROWN, JR., Juvenile Case No. JJ086675-10 The object of this suit is to: Terminate the residual parental rights (“RPR”) of Unknown (Father), Keith O’ Neil Brown Jr., child, DOB 12/04/2002, “RPR” means all rights and responsibilities remaining with parent after transfer of legal custody or guardianship of the person, including but not limited to rights of; visitation; adoption consent; determination of religious affiliation; and responsibility for support.

It is ordered that the defendant, Unknown (Father), appear at the abovenamed Court and protect his interest on or before June 20, 2016, at 9:00 a.m., Court Room #1.

Matthew Morris, Esq. 730 E. Broad St., 8th Floor Richmond, Virginia 23219 804-646-3493

Manufacturing

Staff accountant The Staff Accountant is primarily responsible for inventory, general ledger reconciliations, sales tax filings for 3 states, customer rebate calculations and fixed asset tracking. This position assists in the development, implementation and maintenance of inventory procedures, transactions, and controls. The Staff Accountant reviews and enters inventory adjustments; works to resolve inventory issues via analytical tools including variance reporting, verification of stock levels, and raw material receipts. Works with plant employees to review and investigate various variances and to understand the effects of those variances through the entire inventory/production cycle, and communicate to management issues and opportunities. Responsible for monthly physical inventory and periodic cycle counts.

If interested, please apply at www.colortree.com/careers EOE

REQUEST FOR PROPOSAL

The University of Virginia seeks a firm to provide: Fireworks at Scott Stadium To view a copy of RFP # JG030116 go to Procurement Services Site: http://www.procurement. virginia.edu/main/ publicpostings/RFP.html, or email: jeg5y@virginia.edu

To advertise in the

Richmond Free Press call 644-0496

East Main strEEt/rElocatEd dock strEEt transportation projEct public information Meeting When: Wednesday, March 23, 6 p.m. to 8 p.m.

Where: Powhatan Community Center, 5051 North Hampton St., Richmond, VA project number: 104079. project scope: The purpose of the East Main Street/Relocated Dock Street Transportation Project is to provide a better transportation network that will accommodate current and future traffic volumes in the rapidly developing East End area of the City. It also will help improve pedestrian and bicycle access to the City’s Riverfront, and potentially enlarge the area along the Riverfront to include more acreage for recreational and open space activities.

The planned project elements include: • Relocation of Dock Street, including a roundabout where relocated Dock Street meets East Main Street.

• East Main Street Streetscape from Peebles Street to Nicholson Street with (2) two travel lanes, curb and gutter, bike lanes, parking lanes, brick sidewalks and ornamental lights along both sides of East Main Street and intersection improvements at the intersection of Nicholson Street.

• Closure of Dock Street from Pear Street to Nicholson Street; and Nicholson Street Streetscape, including installation of ornamental lights, sidewalk and landscaping from the East Main Street intersection and north to the railroad bridge.

For questions, comments or arrangements for special needs please contact: Adel Edward, P.E., Engineer III, Project Manager, City of Richmond Department of Public Works 900 E. Broad St., Suite 603 Richmond, VA 23219 Phone: 804.646.6584 Adel.Edward@Richmondgov.com www.richmondgov.com

BIDS COUNTY OF HENRICO, VIRGINIA CONSTRUCTION IT B # 1 6 - 11 5 5 - 3 C E – Strawberry Hill Sewage Pumping Station Capacity Improvements - This project consists of replacing Flow Meter, pumping units and drives, switchgear and Continued on next column

ColleCtions team lead VHDA’s Loan Servicing Department is looking for candidates with experience in Mortgage Servicing and all phases of Collections up to Loss Mitigation. The primary role is to monitor and assist with the daily operations of the single family collection department, resulting in the reduction of overall delinquency for delinquent accounts in accordance with benchmarks set forth by the Division Director and in line with strategic goals. Incumbent will utilize appropriate collection and counseling techniques as applicable and in compliance with the Insurer/Guarantor.

The successful candidate must have a good working knowledge of GSE and Conventional default collections guidelines, excellent communication skills, and analytical skills along with experience using the MSP servicing system. An A.A. degree and/or equivalent vocational/technical training with several years of experience in mortgage loan collections is required. This position is for the evening shift which runs from 12:30 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. Monday through Thursday and 11:30 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. Friday. Candidates must also be available to work weekend hours.

If you are interested in joining our team and feel you meet our qualifications, please submit your resume with cover letter stating salary requirements online only at: http://www.vhda.com/about/careers An EOE This position closes at midnight on Monday, March 21, 2016.

Background and credit checks will be performed as a condition of employment.

Hiring Range - $44,946 – 58,428

Drivers: CDL-A 1yr.

Excellent Family Medical Ins. Guaranteed Weekend Home Time.

Earn $65,000 + Monthly Bonuses. Absolutely No-Touch.

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Graphic Designer Part-time Richmond Free Press

is seeking a creative and reliable person for a computer graphics position.

For details, please visit www.richmondfreepress. com/employment.html.

DIRECTOR OF PARKS AND RECREATION

Mortgage Banking

Post Closing sPeCialist VHDA is seeking qualified applicants with experience in mortgage loan processing and closing/title requirements. Candidates will review mortgage loan documentation to ensure proper lien perfection, as well as insuring guarantees.

Candidates must be fully versed in the requirements as set forth by FHA, VA, RD and Private Mortgage Insurance. Additionally VHDA loan program knowledge is necessary. Strong communication and analytical skills are essential. Several years of mortgage loan experience is required.

We offer a competitive salary and excellent benefits package. Interested persons must submit a resume and cover letter stating salary requirements, online only at: http://www.vhda.com/about/careers An EOE

Lead Loan Program Underwriter VHDA is seeking an individual with experience and overall understanding of residential lending requirements to join the Homeownership Division as a Lead Loan Program Underwriter. Responsibilities include detail review and analysis of credit packages and appraisals and serve as an escalation point and expert for the team in company, agency, insurer, and regulatory guidelines to ensure quality loans. The Lead Loan Program Underwriter will communicate with lenders, realtors, builders and potential borrowers related to specific loan transactions and provide general program information.

Candidates must possess several years of experience underwriting FHA/VA/ RHS/Fannie Mae/Freddie Mac loans. Ideal candidates must have experience underwriting VHDA and other affordable housing programs. Sufficient experience in occupational field to perform a variety of work assignments with minimal supervision is required. Must possess FHA Direct Endorsement Authority and VA Automatic and Staff Appraisal Reviewer (SAR) approval. Successful candidate must have strong communication skills with an ability to deal effectively and professionally with customers and associates. Attention to detail, good judgment, analytical and decision making skills are required.

We offer a competitive salary with generous benefits package. Submit resume with cover letter stating salary requirements online only at: http://www.vhda.com/about/careers An EOE This position closes at midnight on Monday, March 21, 2016.

Background and credit checks will be performed as a condition of employment.

Hiring Range - $68,357 – $88,861

Background and credit checks will be performed as a condition of employment.

Grant ProGrams sPecialist

Candidates must possess several years of experience in the residential mortgage lending industry and completion of mortgage industry courses to develop knowledge of underwriting lending requirements is required. Ideal candidates must have experience directly related to loan processing, originations or closing and an understanding of lending requirements of various loan programs (FHA/ VA/RHS/Conventional) as well as knowledge of completion of origination and closing documents. Successful candidates must have strong communication skills with an ability to deal effectively and professionally with customers and associates. Attention to detail, good judgment, analytical and decision making skills are required.

We offer a competitive salary with generous benefits package. Submit resume with cover letter stating salary requirements online only at: http://www.vhda.com/about/careers An EOE

VHDA, Virginia’s Housing Finance Agency is looking for a dynamic individual to serve in the role of Grant Programs Specialist. This team member will promote a strong collaborative spirit with VHDA customers and stakeholders. The Grant Programs Specialist will be responsible for assisting with grant program activities to ensure strategies, initiatives, and programs are successfully implemented. The individual will be responsible for the aspects of the grant management system by coordinating system activities; creating forms, testing, evaluating internal and external processes, and building reports. The incumbent will assist in the administration of local, state and federal housing counseling grants: application process, scoring, debriefings, award notification, partner training, technical assistance, reporting, outcomes/impact, oversight and compliance.

Incumbent would possess experience in administration of local, state and federal grant programs to address strategic initiatives. A broad knowledge of low-and-moderate income housing programs is required and experience in project management, housing counseling, community development, non-profit management, economic/community development, finance, and affordable housing is highly preferred. Individual must have demonstrated skills in innovative problem solving, facilitation, public speaking, written and oral communications.

Bachelor’s degree or equivalent preferred. other: Travel (25-50%) required.

Resumes and cover letter stating salary requirements should be submitted online only at: http://www.vhda.com/about/careers An EOE This position closes at Midnight, March 28, 2016.

This position closes at midnight on Monday, March 21, 2016.

Hiring range - $44,946 – 58,428

Background and credit checks will be performed as a condition of employment.

Background, credit, and driving record checks will be performed as a condition of employment.

Hiring Range - $51,686 – $67,192

Mount Olive Baptist Church in Glen Allen, Virginia has the following part-time job openings: Church Administrator and Food Service Director. The church is also seeking a full-time Music Director. Please visit the church’s website at www.mobcva.org to view the complete job announcements for these positions. All positions are opened until �illed. A Criminal History Background Check and/or credit history check are required.

Music Director/Choir Director and Organist/Pianist.

As music is a key component in our Worship Services, we are seeking a person with a strong background and commitment to both traditional and contemporary styles of gospel music, experience with choral leadership and excellent communication skills. The salary of this part-time position will be commensurate with experience and qualifications.

Please send resumes with references by e-mail to stmarkmaidens@aol.com or by mail to Saint Mark Baptist Church, C/O Marie Hewlett, Clerk, 4596 Factory Mill Rd, Maidens Va 23102.

The City of Richmond is seeking to fill the following positions: Administrative Project Analyst 35M00000642 Public Utilities Apply by 03/20/16 Construction Inspector II 29M00000564 Department of Public Works Apply by 03/20/2016

Hiring range - $39,084 – 50,808

AssociAte LoAn ProgrAm Underwriter

Job Openings

serving the Goochland Virginia and surrounding communities, is seeking a

This position closes at midnight on Monday, March 21, 2016.

The Homeownership Division is seeking an individual with experience and overall understanding of residential lending requirements to perform underwriting responsibilities and support the single family lending efforts. Responsibilities include detail review and analysis of credit packages and appraisals to ensure compliance with requirements of VHDA, investors, regulatory agencies and mortgage insurers. The Associate Loan Program Underwriter will communicate with lenders, realtors, builders and potential borrowers related to specific loan transactions and provide general program information.

General Cleaners, FloorTechs, Team Leaders & Supervisor. Experience in commercial/healthcare setting preferred. Must have valid DL & acceptable background. Apply at peninsulacleaning.com or call (757) 833-1603

Saint Mark Baptist Church,

Chesterfield County Government

Chesterfield County, Virginia (Richmond-Metro Area), a recognized leader and award winning local government, is seeking an experienced, knowledgeable, and collaborative leader to plan, coordinate, and direct the activities of the Department of Parks and Recreation, which provides comprehensive year-round programming for sports, fitness, special needs residents and nature programs for all ages.

To view the complete position advertisement and to obtain application instructions, please visit careers.chesterfield.gov.

Deadline: March 31, 2016 at 5 p.m.

JANITORIAL Now Hiring

Equipment Operator II – Stormwater Utility Program 35M00000846 Public Utilities Apply by 3/27/16 Gas & Water Service Technician Public Utilities 35M00000550 Apply by 3/20/16 Pretrial Probation Officer Department of Justice Services 15GRANT0036 Apply by 06/20/2016 Systems Operations Administrator 87M00000117 Emergency Communications Apply by Continuous Systems Operations Analyst II 41M00000238 Richmond Police Department Apply by 03/13/2016 Water Utility Specialist Public Utilities 35M00000428 Apply by 3/20/16 ****************** For an exciting career with the City of Richmond, visit our website for additional information and apply today! www.richmondgov.com EOE M/F/D/V

Richmond Free Press

B8 March 10-12, 2016

Sports Plus Stories by Fred Jeter

Justices take on I.C. Norcom Friday in state tournament

John Marshall High School is among the smallest schools in the Virginia High School League’s 3A classification.

It also ranks with the state’s 3A elite, at least basketball-wise.

Relying on multitasking athletes such as Xavier Trent and Isaiah Anderson, Coach Ty White’s Justices are hopeful of a second state basketball title in three years.

Xavier Trent John Marshall, the 2014 State 3A champ and 2013 Group AAA runner-up, features quality, if not quantity, with 6-foot-4 Trent and 6-foot-7 Anderson as double-duty Justices, playing both basketball and football.

Both Trent as wide receiver and Anderson as quarterback, were All-Conference 26 football standouts before lacing up their sneakers in November.

It has been basketball business as usual this winter on the North Side, where winning is a constant and down seasons are sparse as a grocery store bread shelf after a snow alert.

Coach White’s “Blue Crew” carry a 24-6 record into Friday’s state semifinal at the Siegel Center, where John Marshall will play Portsmouth juggernaut I.C. Norcom High School (27-1).

Like many city schools, Norcom’s and John Marshall’s enrollments both are tumbling as families, black and white, flee to the suburbs. John Marshall’s latest enrollment is listed at 837 students; Norcom’s at 1,192 students. Both had enrollments close to 2,000 decades ago.

Norcom won Group AAA (for the state’s largest schools) state crowns in 2010 and 2011 and was the 4A champ during the past two seasons. (Current VHSL classes run 1A to 6A, from smallest to largest based on student population.)

Because of the lower student enrollment, Norcom was reclassified to 3A this season.

John Marshall High, on other hand, had to win a VHSL appeal to keep from falling to 2A. “Our appeal was based on adding some students from Open High, Richmond Community (High School) and Franklin Military (Academy) to our enrollment,” explained Lamont Davis, John Marshall’s activities director.

Students attending specialty public schools are permitted to

State basketball tournament 3A Boys Semifinals Siegel Center at Virginia Commonwealth University Tickets: $10 Friday, March 11 3:45 p.m. — Hopewell High School vs. Northside High School of Roanoke 7:30 p.m. — John Marshall High School vs. I.C. Norcom High School of Portsmouth Championship game Saturday, March 12, 8 p.m.

participate in extracurricular activities at their home school, in this case, John Marshall.

“By adding our kids coming over from Open, Community and Franklin, we just made it” into 3A, Davis said.

Trent and Anderson are joined in Coach White’s lineup by two All-State candidates, senior guard Jeremy Carter-Sheppard (17.2 points, 3.7 assists, 57 3-pointers) and 6-foot-6 junior center Greg Jones (15.8 points, 11.4 rebounds).

Two precocious freshmen, DeMarr McRae and Levar Allen, fill out Coach White’s “first six.”

Trent is a 192-pound wing forward averaging 11.3 points and 5.3 rebounds. His top scoring nights have been 29 points against Richmond’s Thomas Jefferson High School, 23 points against Henrico’s Deep Run High School and 19 points against

Richmond’s state champs Here is a list of Richmond high schools to win the state public schools basketball championships since the merger of the Virginia Interscholastic Association and the Virginia High School League: Boys *1971 – Maggie L. Walker High School, Group AAA 1975 – Thomas Jefferson High School, Group AAA 1976 – Walker, Group AAA 1982 and 1983 – Marshall-Walker Complex, Group AAA 1984 – Jefferson-Huguenot-Wythe Complex, Group AAA ** 2014 – John Marshall High School, 3A 2015 – George Wythe High School, 3A *Group AAA (on three-tier A, AA, AAA scale) was the largest enrollment classification ** 3A (on the 1A to 6A scale) is the fourth largest enrollment classification

Girls 1979 – Maggie L. Walker High School, Group AAA

Norcom.

“I think of myself as a spark plug. I like to bring a lot of energy to the team,” he said.

Trent had 18 points, all in the second half, as John Marshall defeated Spotswood High School of Rockingham County 61-53 in the March 5 quarterfinals.

Anderson averages 10.7 points and 6.6 rebounds.

Known as “X,” Trent has hit Isaiah Anderson 39 of 84 3-point tries (46 percent). Twice, he has splashed five 3-pointers — against Thomas Jefferson High and Deep Run High. He had two 3-pointers against Spotswood High.

“X is both a slasher and a shooter. He gives us two 3-point shooters, along with Jeremy,” Coach White said, referring to Carter-Sheppard.

“He may also be our best defensive player. We generally put him on the other team’s top scorer.”

Trent also shines on the gridiron in helmet and shoulder pads.

In his only varsity football season — he didn’t play as a sophomore or junior — he used his speed, spring and dinner-plate sized hands to snag 46 passes for 756 yards and 12 touchdowns.

He refers to himself as a “Calvin (Megatron) Johnson-type receiver. I like to go up and get ’em,” he said with a smile.

Trent’s online YouTube video features several acrobatic grabs in which he out leaped and out wrestled defenders for the pigskin.

His football battery mate was Anderson, who passed for 1,602 yards and 14 touchdowns. Anderson also ran for 450 yards and six touchdowns.

Trent has drawn college recruiting interest for both basketball and football.

“I enjoy basketball more,” he said, “but I’ll go to whichever school offers the best opportunity.”

He says he’s willing to play basketball or football, or both.

That’s what you learn to do when you’re a Justice.

Tall Tale: John Marshall’s roster includes 6-foot-10 sophomore Jaquan Smith, who is among the tallest players in city school annals. Smith, a reserve player for the Justices, played at Lucille Brown Middle School and last year, as a freshman, at Life Christian Academy in Chester.

A look back

Spirit of Maggie Walker’s 1967-68 Green Dragons lives on

One state with two state champions.

That’s the way it was in Virginia.

Until 1969, public schools athletics in the state were regulated by two umbrella agencies.

The Virginia High School League (VHSL), based in Charlottesville, coordinated activities of white schools.

The Virginia Interscholastic Association (VIA), headquartered at Virginia State University, was the governing

body for African-American schools.

Because of the racial divide, many Richmond basketball fans never saw — or hardly even knew of — arguably the best team in area history.

During the 1967-68 season, the final year VIA conducted state championships, Maggie L. Walker High School in Richmond was the top team.

In what was Coach Stretch Gardner’s final season on the sidelines, the Green Dragons went 30-1 en route to

the Group 1 (largest schools) title.

The team’s only loss was to Cardozo High School in Washington.

In the final VIA championship game, held at VSU’s Daniel Gymnasium, Maggie Walker bested Norfolk’s Booker T. Washington High School featuring 6-foot-8 Purdue Universitybound William Franklin.

“I remember coach (Gardner) telling us that if we won States, he just might retire,” recalled guard Cravelyn

Hanover golfer making big mark at 14 Christian Dyer

Christian Dyer would rather follow a golf ball, and the exciting places it might lead him, than follow the crowd.

At 6-feet, 210 pounds, the young athlete would seem well suited for basketball or football.

Instead the 14-year-old has been all-in for golf since receiving a set of clubs from his grandparents for Christmas when he was 3.

“Golf is something I love and have fun doing,” the Hanover High School freshman told the Free Press. “It may not be the coolest sport, but I know it can take me a long way in life.”

Already, his talent has earned him a dream ticket to Australia in June as a member of the Virginia State Golf Team. He also will compete in a high-profile American Junior Golf Association event during spring break in Hilton Head, S.C. The son of Brian Dyer and Taryn Blount, Christian made his mark — albeit belatedly — at Hanover High last fall as a mere ninth-grader.

The lone African-American player on Coach Chris Pace’s Hanover High roster, Christian was sidelined with a back injury until the final match of the regular season against longtime nemesis Atlee High School.

The Lone Ranger couldn’t have rushed to his teammates’ rescue any more dramatically. A long-knocking southpaw, Christian made his varsity debut a rousing celebration with a medalist 9-hole 36, leading Hanover High School to victory.

“The sky is the limit for Christian,” said Coach Pace. “I’ll tell you, Atlee had owned us in the past.

That was some kind of first match.”

Coach Pace knows a smooth swing when he spots one. He selected Christian as an Oak Knoll Middle School eighth-grader a year ago even though Christian was ineligible for varsity matches.

“It was kind of like a red-shirt season,” Coach Pace quipped.

After his first game againstAtlee High School, Christian went on to shine at the regionals and then became the first Hanover High freshman and first African-American to represent his school at the state tournament.

Hanover High opened in Mechanicsville in 2003.

Sandra Sellars/Richmond Free Press

Coach Pace said he could recall just one AfricanAmerican Hawk prior to Christian being on the team.

That was James Pollard, Class of 2014, who now is plays tennis for Philadelphia University.

Christian draws attention for his prodigious drives (a recorded 327-yard blast at the Federal Club), his deft touch near greens, his friendly demeanor and for his racial background, although he is uneasy speaking about it.

“I just want to have a good time,” he said. “If people look at me differently, it doesn’t bother me. It won’t affect anything I’m trying to achieve.”

Another prominent localAfrican-American high school golfer is Christian’s close friend, Addie Parker. She stars at Monacan High School in Chesterfield County.

Christian and Addie take some of their practice cuts at First Tee of Richmond on School Street. But Christian has benefited from club memberships at Willow Oaks Country Club and The Dominion Club, where he excelled in junior programs, and now The Federal Club, a swanky layout in Glen Allen.

The list of African-American youngsters who have excelled in area high school golf is a short one. Perhaps most renowned is Nick Austin, a former standout at James River High School and the University of Richmond (Class of 2013) who is now director of golf at Independence Golf Club in Midlothian.

Christian enjoys pickup hoops with friends and family and has been urged to play basketball by his physical education teachers and coaches at school. But he always has been more apt to shoot from a tee box, or fairway, than basketball’s 3-point arc.

He won the Virginia State Golf Association title as a 9-year-old and was dubbed “Little Tiger” in a Free Press article before kindergarten.

Christian dubs his sweet swing “a gift from God.” He credits First Tee Pro Paul Sargent, his parents, grandmother Willnette Dyer and grandparents Dr. Randy and Rose Adams as among those fueling his golfing desires.

It was Dr. and Mrs. Adams who surprised Christian with his first clubs at age 3.

“He never needed a lesson,” father Brian Dyer said.

“Right away, you could see he had a natural knack for it. He has always had that ‘wow’ factor.”

Williams, Walker Class of 1968.

“At the time we thought he was joking. But we won States and, sure enough, Coach Gardner did retire.”

The victory over Booker T. Washington was Coach Gardner’s 536th win in a glorious career that began in 1940 at 1000 N. Lombardy St., Maggie Walker High School.

“One thing I remember about the win over Booker T. is that we all shaved our heads before the game,” Williams recalled with a chuckle.

“We all went bald the last game.

We didn’t know for sure at the time it would be the end of the VIA … but we thought it might be.”

It signaled the end of an era in more ways than one.

Starting with the 1968-69 season, Maggie Walker — along with crosstown rival Armstrong High School, Richmond’s other AfricanAmerican high school — left the VIA, which had begun phasing out several years earlier, for VHSL. The still all-black Green Dragons won two VHSL crowns, in 1971, starring Richard Jones, and in 1976, with Clyde Austin as the headliner.

Coaching the 1971 and 1976 squads was Pierce Callaham, who had been Coach Gardner’s assistant.

The 1967-68 Dragons would be hard to match by any team from any era.

“We’d be right up there,” said Williams of the elite teams over the decades.

“We averaged 92 points and that was with no 3-point shot. And we only gave up an average of 64 (points). All our starters averaged double figures.”

Sad to say, the Maggie Walker Green Dragons were well-nigh invisible to the white world. Even by 1968, there was virtually no interaction between black and white schools.

Other Richmond schools, Thomas Jefferson, John Marshall and George Wythe, were almost all-white until about 1970.

John F. Kennedy High School opened in 1967 with a majority-black enrollment but was never in the VIA. Huguenot High School was a predominantly white Chesterfield County school until 1970.

Williams has served as an assistant under Coach George Lancaster since 1989, aiding Highland Springs High School to state titles in 2003 and 2007.

“If I had to compare the old Dragons with any team since, I might pick our (Springers’) 2007 team with Brandon Rozzell and Jamar Abrams — a similar kind of balance.”

The 1968 Dragons were deep, talented and oozed with confidence and pizzazz.

“Coach warned us against showboating,” Williams recalled.

Four of Coach Gardner’s starters went on to college prominence.

Williams, also a terrific tennis player, signed with Virginia Union University and became a standout under Panthers Coach “Tricky” Tom Harris.

David Franklin, the Dragons’ 6-foot-7 inside force, went on to star-

Doubled his pleasure Walker Banks is a mountain of a man with a story to match.

The 6-foot-10 giant is believed to be the only athlete to play a prominent role on both VIA and VHSL state championship basketball teams.

In 1964 as a sophomore, Banks led segregated Jefferson High School of Clifton Forge to the VIA’s Group III title.

By 1966, following school consolidation, Banks, as a senior, took Clifton Forge High School to a 23-0 record and VHSL Group A, Division 2 crown.

Jefferson High, known as the Dragons, closed in 1964, and in 1983, Clifton Forge High, known as the Mountaineers, was merged into what is now Alleghany High School.

Banks went on to play at Western Kentucky University and with the ABA’s Pittsburgh Condors. He now resides in Champaign, Ill.

dom at East Carolina University.

Point guard Gerald Smith signed with Norfolk State University and helped the Spartans to two CIAA crowns.

Forward Jesse Dark, a 6-foot-4 allround talent, went on to sparkle at Virginia Commonwealth University and later played for the New York Knicks.

Robert McCray, a 6-foot-3 forward, had several college offers but chose not to attend college.

The Maggie Walker team practiced in a shoebox-sized, upstairs gym on campus, but played most games at VUU’s Barco-Stevens Hall or the Richmond Arena.

Armstrong High School and Peabody High School of Petersburg were the local foes, but the Dragons played a statewide schedule, with games stretching from Hampton Roads to Roanoke.

The Dragons drew raves among black Richmonders, and college scouts of all colors, but received little coverage from white media.

It was also during that time the annual Black High School National Championship was discontinued at Pearl High School in Chattanooga, Tenn. By 1966, Pearl High was playing in Tennessee’s integrated organization.

Armstrong High School, led by Don Ross and Charles Bonaparte, had finished second at the Nationals a few years earlier.

“Our state champ had always gone to Nationals,” recalled Williams. “It’s something we really looked forward to, but never got the chance.”

Williams will always wonder if the 1968 Dragons might have been national champs.

Instead, he’ll have to be satisfied with a state title … or, unfortunately, because of the way things were back then, half a state.